Viking Age Bronze Pendant Group

With fusiform hexagonal-section crystal bead modified for use as a pendant with the addition of a bronze collar bearing stamped 'bowtie' motifs attached to two lateral straps converging at the end to form a knotted and looped bail; finial formed as a beast-head with raised snout and piriform eyes, shallow flange ears, slanted muzzle; thick bronze wire suspension loop with ends twisted around the shank. 42.01 grams, 83 mm high



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

With a reversed C-shaped body tapering towards the terminals, geometric ornament in relief including lozenges and pecking; terminals absent. 66 grams, 38 mm



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

Similar bracelets were found usually in female graves in the Hemlanden cemetery in Birka. Sometimes they were found in pairs, sometimes worn only on the right arm. Their main characteristic was the geometric decoration engraved on the surface.

Modelled standing left with stylised detailing; likely a cockerel; pin lug and catchplate to reverse. 6.4 grams, 26 mm



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

Similar brooches are known from Denmark and some examples show us a very similar form and decoration. So far England is the only area outside Scandinavia where bird brooches similar to those discovered in Denmark have been found. The archaeological finds indicate close contacts between England and Denmark in the first half of the 11th century. Anne Pedersen suggests that Byzantium art may be a source of inspiration for these specific type of brooches as is evident from the Danish coinage of the 11th century that direct or indirect influence from Constantinople played an important role, especially in connection with the presence of Danish mercenaries in the Varangian Guard of the Roman emperor.