Loading, please wait...

Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge

Details

LOT 1646

Scandinavian Viking Iron Fire Steel with Bronze Handle with Conjoined Horse Heads

9TH-10TH CENTURY A.D.

2 1/8 in. (31 grams, 54 mm).

Bronze handle formed as two opposing horse-heads on ribbed necks, slot to underside to accept the verrous striker.

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.

Literature

Cf. Arbman, H., Birka I: Die Gräber, Uppsala, 1940, pl.144, item 2.

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 1646

Scandinavian Viking Iron Fire Steel with Bronze Handle with Conjoined Horse Heads

Sold for (Inc. bp): £182

Print page

RELATED LOTS

  • Scandinavian Viking Hoard of Hacked Silver Jewellery and Coins
    Scandinavian Viking 'Hoard' of Hacked Silver Jewellery and Coins
    9th-10th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £910

    An assembled collection of silver items including: hacked ingot fragments; complete and cut dirhem coins; one end of an ansate brooch with applied figure; braided wire shank; looped end of a drop handle and other items. 158 grams total, 6.5-63 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

  • Viking Age Bronze Double Bell Pendant Group
    Viking Age Bronze Double Bell Pendant Group
    Circa 9th-11th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £59

    Each comprising a tubular bead with ribbing to the outer face, suspension loops each supporting a bottle-shaped dangle. 16 grams total, 39 mm each



    UK gallery, early 2000s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

    The presence of a similar bell pendant in grave 735 of the Birka Necropolis, where a warrior and his horse were also buried, could lead to the belief that such pendants were part of the horse's harness. This was a very common custom in the Mediterranean world, which could also have been adopted by the Vikings.

    Lot Details

  • Viking Silver-Gilt Interlaced Pendant
    Viking Silver-Gilt Interlaced Pendant
    9th-11th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £546

    Openwork kolovrat pendant with fleshy tendril detailing, carinated bale. 6.12 grams, 36 mm



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