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LOT 1226
Viking Age Bronze Tortoise Brooch
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
3 5/8 in. (70 grams, 92 mm).
Of domed elliptical form with plain flange, decorated with a central cross and dense pattern of low-relief moulded detail including facing figures with pellet eyes; transverse mounting bar to reverse. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.
LiteratureCf. Sedov, B.B., Finno-Ugri i Balti v Epokhi Srednevekovija, Moscow, 1987, pl.ZII (33).
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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Viking Age Decorated Bronze Bracelet
Circa 11th-12th century A.D. or laterSold for (Inc. bp): £117
Penannular in form with expanding fluted shoulders and transverse ribbing to the curved finials. 21 grams, 54 mm
Ex old English collection. London art market, pre 2000. Property of a London, UK, gentleman. -
Viking Age Silver-Gilt Jar with Interlaced Design and Pseudo-Arabic Inscription
Circa 11th century A.D.Estimate: £8,000 - 10,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £4,444
With later gilded outer face, globular body on a low splayed foot-ring, rolled rim; repoussé ornament comprising a circumferential ring below the neck, two parallel rings to the equator above a band of looped and interlaced tendrils with leaves and ring below, hatching to the foot-ring; median band with legend in Pseudo-Arabic script. 301 grams, 10.6 cm high
Fair condition.
In a private German collection since the 1980s. Property of a gentleman; acquired on the UK art market in 1998. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11007-181733. -
Viking Age Bronze Bird Brooch
10th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
Modelled facing left, stylised wing and body detailing; remains of a fitting element to reverse. 6.06 grams, 30 mm
From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.
Bird brooches from the late(r) Viking era have been found in Scandinavia as well in areas occupied and inhabited by the Vikings and Norsemen within England, in Anglo-Scandinavian and Anglo-Saxon contexts. These so-called bird shaped brooches can be dated to the 11th and even early 12th century. Stylistically the brooch here cannot be categorised as a distinct 'Viking style' such as the late Urnes style, although some types of other bird shaped brooches shows us connections to the Ringerike and Urnes style. The decoration and form of the bird on the brooch here is more influenced by the development of Romanesque styles spreading from the Continent into Scandinavian art, like the style of a bird, depicted on the right corner next to the door portal of Rimsø Kirke, Jylland, completed in 1150 A.D.
