Scandinavian Viking Decorated Silver Currency Bar

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.

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. 670 grams total, chain: 23.5 cm



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.

Flat-section with low-relief reserved zigzag and longitudinal bands, each end with a bear's head and forepaws in plan. 63 grams, 65 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.