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Details
LOT 0357
Scandinavian Viking Period Silver-Gilt Corpus Christi
CIRCA 11TH CENTURY A.D.
4 1/2 in. (70 grams, 11.7 cm wide).
Modelled in the half-round with elongated arms and exaggerated hands, head tilted and eyes downcast in solemn expression, long hair falling on his shoulders in hanks; wearing a knee-length pleated garment, secured to the waist with a thick knotted rope, gilt roundels to hands and feet to indicate wounds; attaches to lot 358.
Provenance
From the collection of an antiquarian and collector of medieval art.
Acquired on the London art market.
Private collection, London, UK.
Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12731-234561.
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. similar Corpus Christi on the crosses from the Book of Aribert of Intimiano (1018-1045), and in the Church of Helmstedt, Niedersachsen, Kloster of St.Liudger, in Romisch-Germanischen Zentralmuseum Mainz (RGZM), Das Reich der Salier, 1024-1125, Sigmaringen, 1992, pp.381-383; see also a very similar crucifix with crowned Christ, copper-coated wood, c. 1050-1100, in Åby monastry near Århus, Denmark.
Footnotes
The magnificent crucifix is paralleled by two wonderful crucifixes in the Danish Churches of Århus and Lisbjerg. In accordance with the old tradition derived from Byzantium, Christ is depicted as alive, standing in front of his cross, with nailed hands. It may have once been part of an altar decoration or rather have been placed above or in the chancel arch of a church.
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LOT 0357
Scandinavian Viking Period Silver-Gilt Corpus Christi
Estimate £15,000 - 20,000€17,400 - 23,200 (for guidance only)$20,250 - 27,000 (for guidance only)
RELATED LOTS
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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. -
Scandinavian Viking Period Silver-Gilt Corpus Christi
Circa 11th century A.D.Estimate: £15,000 - 20,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £7,500
Modelled in the half-round with elongated arms and exaggerated hands, head tilted and eyes downcast in solemn expression, long hair falling on his shoulders in hanks; wearing a knee-length pleated garment, secured to the waist with a thick knotted rope, gilt roundels to hands and feet to indicate wounds; attaches to lot 358. 70 grams, 11.7 cm wide
From the collection of an antiquarian and collector of medieval art. Acquired on the London art market. Private collection, London, UK. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12731-234561. 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.
The magnificent crucifix is paralleled by two wonderful crucifixes in the Danish Churches of Århus and Lisbjerg. In accordance with the old tradition derived from Byzantium, Christ is depicted as alive, standing in front of his cross, with nailed hands. It may have once been part of an altar decoration or rather have been placed above or in the chancel arch of a church. -
Viking Bronze Pendant with Decorated Dragon
Early 9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
Comprising a S-shaped hollow bar with inlaid silverstrips and ring-and-dot motifs, cluster of trapezoidal dangles to head and tail. 34.3 grams, 15.5 cm
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.
