Viking Age Bronze Bridle Cheek-Piece

Solid twisted rope design with large flattened leaf-shaped terminals. 175 grams, 18.2 cm



Ex old English collection. London art market, 1980s.

Comprising: one domed disc with granulation and central cell; one gilt disc with kolovrat spinning-wheel motif; one dirhem Arabic coin with applied ribbed loop; one cast disc with high-relief Ringerike style serpent motif reserved on a pounced field; one plain disc with applied loop. 35.8 grams total, 24-41 mm



Acquired before 1990. Ex property of a professional collector.

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. 8.44 grams, 35 mm



From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.

There is a class of discoid pendants with banded borders and contorted figures found in the hinterland of the Baltic region, associated with the influence of Scandinavian settlers. The design of these items recalls specific elements of Scandinavian art - for example, the 'gripping hands' motif is a feature of the Oseberg Style named after the famous Norwegian ship-burial. Oseberg Style is associated with the beginnings of the Viking age, and was current in the 9th century when Scandinavian settlers began to establish centres of trade and political control in the area of the rivers Dnieper and Volga. The motif has been interpreted as a horse and linked with various legends and mythic figures.