Loading, please wait...

Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge

Details

LOT 0374

Scandinavian Pre-Viking Gold Double-Headed Mount Group

CIRCA 6TH CENTURY A.D.

1 in. (2.48 grams total, 24.6-24.8 mm).

Each formed as a conjoined pair of facing masks sharing a mouth; pin to reverse. [3]

Provenance

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.

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 0374

Scandinavian Pre-Viking Gold Double-Headed Mount Group

Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,170

Print page

RELATED LOTS

  • Viking Age Gold Elfshot Pendant
    Viking Age Gold Elfshot Pendant
    9th-11th century A.D. or earlier

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £260

    Comprising a D-shaped gold cap with integral loop above, inset glass bead. 1.30 grams, 19 mm



    Ex property of a late Japanese collector, 1970-2000s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

    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.

    Lot Details

  • Anglo-Scandinavian Viking Bronze Apex Urnes-Style Stirrup Mount
    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.

    Lot Details

  • Anglo-Scandinavian Viking Bronze Interlaced Beast Mount
    Anglo-Scandinavian Viking Bronze Interlaced Beast Mount
    11th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £416

    With openwork Urnes Style design of coiled serpent with head at the lower edge, two upper coils forming the attachment loops. 2.92 grams, 22 mm



    Found Doncaster, UK. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

    The style of the piece is very reminiscent of a bronze Urnes Style brooch in the Nationalmuseet, Copenhagen published in Wilson, D.M. and Klindt-Jensen, O. Viking Art, London, 1968, pl.LXXIII (f). The swept curves of the tendrils which enmesh the serpent's body are a noted feature of the style, which is found also in the great Norwegian stave churches and elsewhere.

    Lot Details

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