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LOT 1224
Viking Age Bronze Bird Brooch
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
1 in. (6.4 grams, 26 mm).
Modelled standing left with stylised detailing; likely a cockerel; pin lug and catchplate to reverse. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.
LiteratureCf. Pedersen, A., ‘ Birds of Prey or Doves. Early Medieval bird-shaped brooches’ in Aarboger for Nordisk Oldkyndighed og Historie 1999 (2001), 2001, pp.19-66, fig.22, for similar brooch.
FootnotesSimilar brooches are known from Denmark and some examples show us a very similar form and decoration. So far England is the only area outside Scandinavia where bird brooches similar to those discovered in Denmark have been found. The archaeological finds indicate close contacts between England and Denmark in the first half of the 11th century. Anne Pedersen suggests that Byzantium art may be a source of inspiration for these specific type of brooches as is evident from the Danish coinage of the 11th century that direct or indirect influence from Constantinople played an important role, especially in connection with the presence of Danish mercenaries in the Varangian Guard of the Roman emperor.
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Viking Age Bronze Bird Brooch
10th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
Modelled facing left, stylised wing and body detailing; remains of a fitting element to reverse. 6.06 grams, 30 mm
From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.
Bird 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. -
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. -
Viking Age Silver Pendant with Gripping Beast
Late 10th-early 11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £975
Of Riddarholmen type (also widespread in the historical Rus region), with integral loop; the openwork plaque with banded border and four panels, internal stylised zoomorph with hatched panel to the hip, gripping three-fingered hands to the body and border, two detailed feet, clearly visible facing mask below the loop with pellet eyes. 13.3 grams, 40 mm
From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.
