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LOT 1331
Viking Age Bronze Beast-Head Staff Terminal
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
2 1/4 in. (41.7 grams, 58 mm).
Comprising a hollow socket with iron rod inserted, terminal formed as a beast-head with open jaws, lobed snout, canine teeth prominent, ribbed brow and bulbous eyes, D-shaped ears to the rear. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired in the 1990s.
Ex property of a German collector.
Cf. Graham-Campbell, J., The Viking World, London, 1980, p.134-5, for similar animal-heads carved on the wagon found in the Oseberg ship-burial at Tønsberg, Vestfold, Norway; the Oseberg burial marks the beginning of Viking Age art. It is dated dendrochronologically to 834 A.D.
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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Viking Stamped Silver Mount
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £39
With central repoussé dome, star motif around with punched annulet trails to the arms. 2.28 grams, 30 mm
From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s. -
Viking Silver-Gilt Pendant with Odin Gripping Two Ravens
9th-10th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £494
Integral loop, border enclosing a low-relief image of a male facing mask between two birds embraced at the necks. 3.58 grams, 24 mm
From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.
The iconography of the pendant is evidently based on the mythological representation of Odin, whose ravens, Huginn and Muninn, were his spirit companions and confidents. Huginn and Muninn travelled around the world bringing news and information to their master. Odin sent them out at dawn to gather information and they returned in the evening, sitting on the god's shoulders and whispering the news into his ears. It is from these ravens that the raven-god kenning representing Odin was derived. -
Pre-Viking Iron Slave Chain Shackle
6th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £442
Comprising thirty-eight 8-shaped iron links, with interstitial H-shaped twisted elements; securing ring at the upper end; iron ring at the lower end with thick linked ring and two substantial shackles, each a pair of parallel bars with a loop at each end; attached to each a flat rectangular-section fetter with substantial retaining rivet. 4.45 kg, 2.57 m long
Acquired 1971-1972. From the collection of the vendor's father. Property of a London, UK, collector.
The shackles are formed with an elliptical void in order to accommodate a human foot, closed with an iron rivet which could not have been easily removed without heating the metal.
