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LOT 1204
Viking Age Bronze Bird Brooch
10TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
1 1/8 in. (6.06 grams, 30 mm).
Modelled facing left, stylised wing and body detailing; remains of a fitting element to reverse. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.
LiteratureCf. similar bird brooch in PAS, NLM-CE3915.
FootnotesBird brooches from the late(r) Viking era have been found in Scandinavia as well in areas occupied and inhabited by the Vikings and Norsemen within England, in Anglo-Scandinavian and Anglo-Saxon contexts. These so-called bird shaped brooches can be dated to the 11th and even early 12th century. Stylistically the brooch here cannot be categorised as a distinct 'Viking style' such as the late Urnes style, although some types of other bird shaped brooches shows us connections to the Ringerike and Urnes style. The decoration and form of the bird on the brooch here is more influenced by the development of Romanesque styles spreading from the Continent into Scandinavian art, like the style of a bird, depicted on the right corner next to the door portal of Rimsø Kirke, Jylland, completed in 1150 A.D.
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Viking Age Bronze Decorated Bracelet
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
With a reversed C-shaped body tapering towards the terminals, geometric ornament in relief including lozenges and pecking; terminals absent. 66 grams, 38 mm
From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.
Similar bracelets were found usually in female graves in the Hemlanden cemetery in Birka. Sometimes they were found in pairs, sometimes worn only on the right arm. Their main characteristic was the geometric decoration engraved on the surface. -
Viking Age Gold Twisted Bracelet
9th-11th century A.D. or earlierSold for (Inc. bp): £1,235
Composed of a slender, decoratively twisted penannular hoop with expanded collared terminals. 9.51 grams, 61 mm
From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s. -
Finno-Ugrian Socketted Axehead
10th-13th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £195
Hand-forged with triangular-section narrow blade widening to a broad bevelled edge with square chin and spur to the rear, socket with flanges to the rear. 569 grams, 17.5 cm
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.
During the mid 13th century, the axes were favourite weapons among Baltic people. For instance, the Curonian army included lightly armed soldiers who fought with spears, shields, fighting knives and axes. A heavily armed soldier could also carry a sword, a helmet, a shield and a wide-bladed axe.
