Scandinavian Viking Silver Filigree Tau Cross Pendant

A female in floor-length robe holding a shield in her right hand and spear in her left, stylised headdress, pointillé detailing; pierced lug to the reverse. 7.57 grams, 42.5 mm



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

Miniature drum-shaped vessel covered in filigree bobbles with strap handle. 0.78 grams, 13.52 mm



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

Pendants in the form of miniature buckets have been found in a number of pagan Anglo-Saxon and Viking contexts and are generally made of bronze or iron, with gold examples being rare; three gold examples were found with the hoard from Hoen, Norway. Bronze bucket amulets have been found at Driffield in Yorkshire, and Vimose bog in Denmark, among other places. In form they represent wooden buckets bound with bronze or iron bands which have been found in Anglo-Saxon and Viking graves and are believed to have held mead or ale and were used to replenish the cups from which warriors drank. As amulets they probably represent the ecstatic power of alcoholic drink and the role of women as the dispensers of these precious beverages.

Openwork handle depicting confronted birds of prey flanking a crouching figure, facing, on a band of pellets; iron striking face below. 25.83 grams, 58 mm



From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.