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LOT 1653
Viking Age Bronze Sword Scabbard Chape Collection
10TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
2 - 2 3/4 in. (178 grams total, 51-70 mm).
Comprising: a long and narrow tongue-shaped type (Paulsen's Gruppe V 2A, Untergruppe C) with scooped upper edge and palmette motif to the centre, spurs to the a vertical band of reserved stylised ring-chain decoration on a pounced field, long lateral straps and a knop finial;
a heater-shaped type (Paulsen's Gruppe I 2, Untergruppe C) with central openwork panel displaying a bird in flight with the fan-shaped tail marked with radiating lines, guilloche bands to the outer sides, upper edges angled and with lobe at the apex; an elongated type (Gruppe V 1) with low-relief pointillé bands to each face and a palmette at the apex of the central spur; a long tongue-shaped type (Paulsen's Gruppe I 1) with an openwork centre and Ringerike Style bird formed with looped bands, pellets to the pinions, a triangular in plan head joined to the inner faces of the ropework border forming the upper edge of the chape, with a wolf's head at the apex and stepped knop finial; a single plaque (Gruppe V 1) from a two-part chape, long and rounded with palmate detailing to the upper edge, tendrils and scrolls to the body, pierced in two places to accept rivets. [5]
From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.
LiteratureSee Paulsen, P., Schwertortbänder der Wikingerzeit, Stuttgart, 1953, items 23, 135, 137, 178.
FootnotesMost of these chapes originate in Sweden or the western Baltic according to Paulsen's classification.
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AUCTIONS:
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Viking Age Bronze Tortoise-Type Brooch Group
9th-11th century A.D.Estimate: £1,000 - 1,400 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £500
Comprising three shallow-domed plate brooches each with low-relief zoomorphic ornament and a narrow ledged rim; to the reverse, a small catch and T-shaped pin-lug; one with textile remains in situ. 140 grams total, 77-80 mm
From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s. -
Viking Bronze Cross Pendant
8th-10th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
Comprising a central bulb and four radiating arms each terminating in a bulb with spur finial; integral pierced lug above. 5.59 grams, 29 mm
Ex David Miller, Hemel Hempstead, London, UK. From the private collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the early 2000s. Accompanied by a laminated dealer's ticket. -
Scandinavian Pre-Viking Silver Wrist Clasp
5th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Spiral-coiled wrist-clasp of Hines's Class A with a broad rounded loop to the centre. 5.78 grams, 36 mm
Ex property of a gentleman; acquired in the 1970s.
The spiral-coil type of wrist clasp is the earliest form of an artefact type which became a very popular costume element in especially Norway and the English East Midlands in the early Anglo-Saxon Period. Grave-finds indicate that they were used to secure the cuffs of robes worn by high-status women.
