Loading, please wait...

Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge

Details

LOT 0368

Pre-Viking Bronze Brooch with Bull-Headed Lunar Pendants and Chain

7TH-8TH CENTURY A.D.

9 1/4 in. (670 grams total, chain: 23.5 cm).

Comprising: a bow-brooch with chamfered edges to the shank and three transverse ribbed bars, scooped foot, the end of each bar with three holes to accept a length of chain formed of barrel-shaped links; four chains with a balustered stem and crescent pendant, the horns terminating in stylised bull-heads; the central chain terminating in a stylised wheel; longer chain attached to the outer bars; mounted on a custom-made stand.

Provenance

Acquired on the London art market, 1990s.
Private collection, London.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12737-234051.
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.

Literature

Cf. Sedov, B.B., Finno-Ugri i Balti v Epokhi Srednevekovija, Moscow, 1987, pl.CXXXV (5) for type, and pl.CXXVIII, for chronology.

CONDITION

VETTING:

TimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process


AUCTIONS:

TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.

LOT 0368

Pre-Viking Bronze Brooch with Bull-Headed Lunar Pendants and Chain

Estimate £1,800 - 2,400€2,090 - 2,780 (for guidance only)$2,430 - 3,240 (for guidance only)

Print page

RELATED LOTS

  • Scandinavian Pre-Viking Bronze Mount on Leather Strap Section
    Scandinavian Pre-Viking Bronze Mount on Leather Strap Section
    6th-7th century A.D.

    Estimate: £800 - 1,000 (+bp*)

    Opening Bid: £300

    Modelled in the half-round, profile figure with drinking horn, attached to a fragment of leather strap. 2.84 grams, 34 mm



    From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

    Lot Details

  • Late Anglo-Scandinavian Viking Bronze Casket Key
    Late Anglo-Scandinavian Viking Bronze Casket Key
    10th-13th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £46

    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. 7.67 grams, 54 mm



    Acquired 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.

    There 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.

    Lot Details

  • Viking Bronze Pendant Collection
    Viking Bronze Pendant Collection
    Early 9th-11th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £312

    Including a zoomorphic mount with pierced feet and suspension loop, and other items. 38.3 grams total, 31-46 mm



    Acquired on the London art market, 1990s. Private collection, London. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

    Lot Details

Stay up-to-date with the latest from TimeLine Auctions by joining our mailing list