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LOT 1660
Late Anglo-Scandinavian Viking Bronze Casket Key
10TH-13TH CENTURY A.D.
2 1/8 in. (7.67 grams, 54 mm).
For a slide lock, the shaft with an open circular projection to one end and a larger openwork rectangular projection to the other end terminating with a T-shaped extension. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired on the UK art market circa 2005.
From an old North Country, UK, collection.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Hammond, Aaron Benet's Artefacts of England & the United Kingdom, Fourth edition, Coggeshall, 2021, p.526, nos.V17-0102, V17-0103, & V17-0104.
FootnotesThere is much discussion among the scholars on such slide keys, known popularly as 'Viking' keys. According to Kevin Leahy '...they do look something like the keys that come from Viking graves and from Viking sites but I have never seen an example that had the 'T' shaped extension for the end of the bit and I can't actually see how this would have functioned in a slide lock.' An iron example was found at Coppergate in York, in a 12th to 13th century context.
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'The Powys' Hiberno-Norse Viking Gilt Bronze Pseudo-Penannular Brooch
8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £12,350
Comprising: hoop formed from two convergent crescentic flat-section arms with panels of Insular Style interlace to the obverse, the left arm with two later holes (to accept a securing chain or thong); at each wide end, a trapezoidal panel with regardant beast motif and three discoid cells; at the upper junction, a panel of two-strand interlace; between the wide ends, a narrow rectangular panel with interlace motif; the pin slightly hipped and with round-section shank, triangular headplate with three disc cells (one with amber fill) and central interlace panel; some gilding remaining. 74.4 grams, 13.2 cm
Found by Mr Steven Thomas whilst searching with a metal detector in Powys, Wales, UK, on 28th July 2023. Accompanied by a copy of the Cymru Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.SN 91399 13122; NMGW-67571D. Accompanied by a condition report and analysis, no.012501 by the Nation Museum of Cardiff. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12730-236283. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
The brooch is 'pseudo-penannular' because of the apparent gap between the flared terminals is blocked by the small rectangular panel; thus the pin cannot pass between the flared ends in the normal manner of a penannular brooch, where one of the curved arms is passed behind the pin to lock it in place. The findspot lies close to a major highway running from the kingdom of Brycheiniog to the southern part of Wales, not far from the Maen Madoc inscribed stone. -
Viking Silver Filigree Bird Pendant
9th-11th century A.D.Estimate: £2,500 - 3,500 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,250
Hollow-formed with aviform body, applied filigree loops with granulated detailing, integral tubular bale with stylised face. 5.62 grams, 36 mm
Private collection formed in Europe in the 1980s. Westminster collection, central London, UK. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Anglo-Scandinavian Viking Bronze Apex Urnes-Style Stirrup Mount
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £293
Tulip-shaped mount with Urnes Style interlace, pierced at the apex and twice at the base above the shallow rear ledge; a rare type. 23 grams, 48 mm
Found whilst searching with a metal detector in East Anglia, UK. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
