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LOT 0381
Viking Age Bronze Tortoise Brooch with Ravens
9TH-10TH CENTURY A.D.
3 1/8 in. (62.6 grams, 80 mm).
With domed elliptical body and narrow flange, high-relief palmette ornament and omega-shaped panels and opposed ravens with curved beaks.
ProvenanceFrom the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.
LiteratureCf. Nerman, B., Die Vendelzeit Gotlands, Stockholm, 1969, pl.VII:5, item 271; cf. Hildebrand, H., Kongl. Vitterhets Historie Och Antiqvitets Akademiens Manadsblad, Stockholm, 1876, fig.82; Arbman, H., Birka I: Die Graber, Uppsala, 1940, fig.151.
FootnotesThe silvery appearance of the brooch is probably due to a high proportion of tin in the bronze alloy.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0381
Viking Age Bronze Tortoise Brooch with Ravens
Estimate £600 - 800€700 - 930 (for guidance only)$810 - 1,080 (for guidance only)
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Viking Age Bronze Twisted Bracelet
Circa 9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £91
Penannular in form with tightly twisted central band, pointed finials. 80 grams, 76 mm
From a London collection; acquired on the UK and European art markets before 2001. -
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Viking Age Bronze Sword Scabbard Chape Collection
10th-12th century A.D.Estimate: £500 - 700 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £275
Comprising: a small and narrow type (Paulsen's Gruppe I 2, Untergruppe d) with an openwork panel to each face filled by a cross-shaped motif with curved cross-bar, and a dentilled upper edge to the mouth; a 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 (apex and lower end of the chape damaged); two of the same type (Gruppe I 1) with a pair of scrolls in the central void and a 'knot' to the apex', one with ropework detailing and a wolf's head; a broad D-shaped plaque with a plain reverse plate riveted in place, guilloche band to the outer edge and interlaced vines to the centre. 118 grams total, 46-75 mm
From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.
The chape with the dentilled upper edge bears a cross motif on which only the curvature of the cross-piece indicates its origin in the raven/eagle figure found more commonly on this type; as its ornament has developed a long way from its original form, it should be dated to the 11 or 12th century. The D-shaped plaque with the plain reverse is not in Paulsen's typology but appears to be derived from the smaller types in his Gruppe VII. -
Pre-Viking Bronze Proto Boar's Head Brooch
7th-8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £78
Formed as a keeled sub-triangular plaque, convex in profile with bulbs on the flanks extending to a short rounded projection; integral catchplate to reverse and remains of ferrous pin. 15.4 grams, 46 mm
Fine condition.
Acquired early 2000s. East Anglia, UK, collection.
This form of brooch developed from Scandinavian Iron Age forms of bow brooch with crossbar, bow and footplate; it later evolved into the standard form of boar-head brooch.
