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_900x900.jpg "Scandinavian Viking Silver Equal-Arm Brooch with Animals")
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LOT 0397
Scandinavian Viking Silver Equal-Arm Brooch with Animals
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.
ProvenanceFrom 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.
Cf. Arbman, H., Birka I: Die Gräber, Uppsala, 1940, pl.82(4a).
FootnotesThe 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.
CONDITIONTimeLine 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:
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LOT 0397
Scandinavian Viking Silver Equal-Arm Brooch with Animals
Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,170
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Viking Age Silver Pendant
Circa 9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Discoid with stepped sides extending to a flattened and pierced lug above. 2.77 grams, 27 mm
Ex London collection, 1990s. Acquired on the UK art market. Property of an East London gentleman. -
Viking Bronze Boar's Head Brooch with Cross
9th-10th century A.D.Estimate: £500 - 600 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £240
With decorative upper surface attached to a plain back-plate with spring-lugs and catchplate intact; the upper face divided by a heavy cast median rib with zoomorphic ornament in the outer panels, arranged symmetrically along the rib with a similar transverse band; the corners of the wider end reinforced with vertical posts ending in heavy lobed ‘ears’; the side panels decorated with zones of interlace ornament and the upper-end panel with a continuation of the median rib, traces of ornamental interlace; the lower-end panel plain; the transverse band pierced by two holes to accept pins (part of one one still in situ) representing 'eyes' on the stylised head; hollow-cast. 62 grams, 56 mm
Acquired in the early 1990s. From an old English collection.
These animal head-brooches were seemingly manufactured solely on Gotland, and have been classified by scholars in various ways: for example, the manner in which the back-plate is formed and applied, or if a plain internal shell was overlaid with an openwork decorative casing. MacGregor classified them according to their decorative criteria, and his scheme is generally followed in Anglophone literature. They began to appear in the Vendel period (earlier 8th century) and continued into the 12th century in a broadly similar form. Our fitting is related to the conventional group of the gripping beast ornament, here very stylised. -
Viking Inspired Bronze Omega Penannular Brooch
12th-14th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £39
A flat-section Mordvinian type brooch comprising a penannular band and two trapezoidal plates; the tongue round-section with flat scroll around the band; the plates each with raised pellets and four pierced lugs to the outer edges. 12.4 grams, 55 mm
Ex property of an Essex gentleman. Property of a Scottish collector, acquired in 2013.
