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LOT 1465
Viking Age Bronze Equal-Arm Brooch Pair
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
3 - 3 3/8 in. (109 grams total, 78-84 mm).
With central dome and upturned ends, ribbed and textured detailing to the obverse, catch and pin-lugs to the reverse. [2, No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.
LiteratureCf. Arbman, H., Birka I: Die Gräber, Uppsala, 1940, pl.78; for reconstruction of how they were used see Various, The Viking, Gothenburg, 1984, pp.201, figs.2-4.
FootnotesEqual-armed bronze brooches of this category were found in various graves of Birka’s cemeteries (graves 444, 603, 535, 551, 577 and 483). They were all female graves and these clasps were used to fasten the cloaks in the upper part of the dress.
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Viking Age Bronze Penannular Pendant with Dragons
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
Curved shank with collars and dragon-head finials joined to a plaque with hatched texture, loop to the reverse with wire hoop. 10.8 grams, 46 mm
From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s. -
Viking Age Bronze Tortoise Brooch with Jellinge Style Ornament
10th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £546
Comprising a domed, elliptical body and narrow flange border; the decorative scheme comprising four lobed faces with annular eyes amid Jellinge Style tendril ornamentation and a barred field; an asymmetrical piercing to the flange for a swag of beads to be attached to the rim; catch to the reverse together with a sturdy T-shaped fitting for the pin attached to the inside of the dome. 74 grams, 93 mm
Ex property of a Dutch collector before 2014. From the collection of a North American gentleman.
Tortoise brooches were associated strongly with wealthy females in Scandinavian communities from Ireland to Russia. Regional taste affected the decoration and the height of the dome; the present example has a carinated profile. -
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Viking Bronze Tortoise Brooch Set
10th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,820
Comprising a pair of domed brooches with low-relief zoomorphic decoration in bands, pin to the reverse on a transverse bar, reinforced catchplate; attached to a loop on the reverse of each brooch, a spacer formed as a lobed plaque with double rosette detailing and loops below, two chains connecting to the matched brooch; from the rosette spacers hang two more chains, one with a needle case with openwork knotwork plaque handle above, the other with a decorated lunate pendant. 334 grams, hangs 53 cm
Fine condition. Rare.
Property of a professional collector; acquired before 1990. Ex London collection since 2016. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11736-201216.
The most characteristic items of Viking women's jewellery are oval brooch pairs, sometimes called 'tortoise brooches' due to their shape, which are found in many female graves of the period. As in this example, the brooches themselves were usually connected by swags of chains, suspended from the pair of brooches and supporting utilitarian objects such as tweezers, an ear spoon, shears or a small knife, as well as amulets. In addition the wearer displayed strands of beads of glass, silver, amber or jet.
