Merovingian Gold Hoop Earring with Garnets

Comprising: a tongue-shaped mount of Williams's Class A Type II with pierced trefoil final, high-relief wolf in profile with head raised, two rivet-holes to the base and narrow ledge to the reverse; a triangular mount of Williams' Class A Type 14 with three radiating arms at the apex and rivet-hole between, low-relief chevron to the plaque, angled ledge to the lower edge with median rivet-hole. 43.3 grams total, 49-53 mm



Acquired on the UK art market in the 1980s. From an East Anglian private collection.

Twisted-wire suspension hoop with pendant loop, graduated beads of bone, glass and other material and central rock crystal irregular bead. 7.83 grams, 69 mm



Private collection formed in Europe in the 1980s. Westminster collection, central London, UK.

Comprising a D-shaped gold cap with arched recesses to each flat face, integral loop above, inset crystal bead with reserved pellet eyes. 0.59 grams, 14 mm



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.

This amulet was believed to offer protection against 'Elfshot'. The attack of elves was believed responsible for mysterious suffering in men and livestock: sudden shooting pains localised to a particular area of the body, such as in rheumatism, arthritis or muscle stitches or cramps. Elves were thought to shoot darts or arrows where such pains had no obvious external cause. Belief in elfshot persisted into the 20th century in rural areas, and as proof country folk would sometimes find small arrowheads (the remains of Neolithic or Mesolithic flints, or naturally-occurring spear-shaped stones) that were believed to be the magical weapons that caused the afflictions. Belief in elfshot began in the Pagan Germanic period.