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LOT 0355
Viking Age Bronze Tortoise Brooch
CIRCA 10TH CENTURY A.D.
3 1/8 in. (67.4 grams, 81 mm).
Displaying high-relief palmette ornament, omega-shaped panels and other ornament; catch and two transverse bars to the reverse.
ProvenanceFrom the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.
LiteratureCf. Hildebrand, H., Kongl. Vitterhets Historie Och Antiqvitets Akademiens Manadsblad, Stockholm, 1876, fig.82; Arbman, H., Birka I: Die Graber, Uppsala, 1940, fig.151.
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 0355
Viking Age Bronze Tortoise Brooch
Estimate £500 - 700€580 - 810 (for guidance only)$680 - 950 (for guidance only)
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Viking Age Bronze Decorated Bracelet
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
With convex outer face and tapering arms, stamp decorated with triangles and lozenges. 105 grams, 75 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 -
Anglo-Scandinavian Viking Bronze Skeletal Stirrup Apex Mount
11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £481
A well defined Williams's Class A Type 6 mount comprising a D-shaped plaque with high-relief central tree or skeleton, a serpent to each lateral edge with divided tail coiled over the 'tree's' trefoil finial, head at the tree's base; beast-head finial with loop above; shallow ledge to the reverse, two circular piercings above. 25 grams, 50 mm
Found Lincolnshire, UK. -
Viking Age Gold 'Elf Shot' Pendant
9th-10th century A.D. or earlierSold for (Inc. bp): £624
Formed as a gold cap with rounded claws, set with polished glass gem; integral suspension loop with a later jump ring. 0.64 grams, 21 mm
From a late Japanese specialist collector, 1970-2000s.
This amulet was believed to offer protection against 'Elfshot'. The attack of elves was believed responsible for mysterious suffering in men and livestock. 'Elfshot' described 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.
