Viking Age Bronze Double-Sided Comb

Comprising a single coiled rod with ribbed detailing, overlapping arms and loop terminals, one with securing button. 264 grams, 23.2 cm



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

Discoid plate with integral suspension loop secured at the reverse, symmetrical design of applied silver filigree and clusters of granules. 3.12 grams, 30 mm



Private collection formed in Europe in the 1980s. Westminster collection, central London, UK.

Comprising a D-shaped gold cap with arched recesses to each flat face, integral loop above, inset crystal bead with reserved pellet eyes. 0.59 grams, 14 mm



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.

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.