Viking Age Bronze Coiled Ring Pair

Decorated sheet gold sleeve, hoof-shaped stone mounted in the socket; loop absent. 0.18 grams, 10 mm



Acquired on the UK art market before 2000. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman.

This amulet was believed to offer protection against 'Elfshot'. The attack of elves was believed responsible for mysterious suffering in men and livestock: sudden shooting pains localised to a particular area of the body, such as in rheumatism, arthritis or muscle stitches or cramps. Elves were thought to shoot darts or arrows where such pains had no obvious external cause. Belief in elfshot persisted into the 20th century in rural areas, and as proof country folk would sometimes find small arrowheads (the remains of Neolithic or Mesolithic flints, or naturally-occurring spear-shaped stones) that were believed to be the magical weapons that caused the afflictions. Belief in elfshot began in the Pagan Germanic period.

Ellipsoid in section with applied silver strips connecting silver discs; flanking gilt studs; circumferential bands; mounted on a custom-made stand. 16.57 grams, 66 mm (44.6 grams total, 66 mm wide including stand)



Acquired on the London art market, 1995. Private collection, London.

Round-section rod with ribbing, heart-shaped loop to one end and arched catchplate to the other. 182 grams, 21.5 cm



Acquired on the European art market since the early 2000s. From the private Northern Ireland collection of R.M.