Viking Age Bronze Pendant with Polished Amethyst Bead

With rectangular spurs above and below the curved socket, a medium-broad flaring triangular-section blade extending to a curved edge; remains of the original wooden shaft inside the socket. 670 grams, 15.5 cm



From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.

Flat in section with spread wings and talons to the lower body, feather detailing to tail and wings; male mask above, flanked by profile bird-heads at the pinions; loop to reverse; Samoyed type. 18.58 grams, 66.13 mm



From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13290-253202.

The pendant likely represents the soul of the shaman in bird form on a spirit journey.

Comprising a silver sleeve with a knapped flint arrowhead, a circular cell set with a clear glass cabochon above. 3.46 grams, 44.84 mm



From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.

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.