Viking Age Bronze Cross Pendant

D-shaped in section with T-shaped finial and central annulet. 8.25 grams, 22 mm

Fine condition.

From a collection formed prior to 2000. From the property of a Cambridgeshire, UK, gentleman.

Flat-section cruciform plaque with tong-and-dot detailing to obverse, barrel-shaped Byzantine-style suspension loop. 27.2 grams, 73 mm



Acquired on the London art market in the late 1980s-1990s. From the family collection of an East London, UK, gentleman.

A female in floor-length robe holding a shield in her right hand and drawn knife in her left, stylised headdress and long plaited band of hair to the rear; pierced lug to the reverse. 8.08 grams, 40.68 mm



Acquired on the UK art market in the 1980s. Ex property of a Cambridgeshire, UK, gentleman.

This pendant resembles a find from Galgebakke, Denmark, a silver figure holding a short sword and clutching a shield by the boss (Vang Petersen, item 4). The Galgebakke figure is identified as female on the basis of the elaborate crested hairstyle, and an ankle-length dress with tiny feet beneath. The interpretation usually offered for this figure is that of a skjoldmø or 'shield-maiden', a female who takes up arms in pursuit of vengeance such as the legendary Hervor in Hervarar saga ok Heiðreks. Scholars used to interpret these armed females as valkyries - hand maidens of the god Oðinn - but the idea has been challenged recently (Gardeła, 2013).