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Back to previous pageLOT 0397
Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,170
CIRCA 8TH-10TH CENTURY A.D.
3 1/8 in. (64 grams, 80 mm).
With flexed bow and trefoil ends, each with a granule to each lobe and incised geometric hatching, two small voids and applied bust of a bear with forepaws raised to the cheeks; central disc with hatched crown and knop finial; iron pin and catch to the underside.
PROVENANCE:
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12071-213599.
LITERATURE:
Cf. Arbman, H., Birka I: Die Gräber, Uppsala, 1940, pl.82(4a).
FOOTNOTES:
The exact identity of the animals is disputed: on some examples, such as those from Birka published by Arbman, the animals have an ursine quality whereas the present ones look more like mice or squirrels.
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