Viking Age Bronze Twisted Bracelet

Sheet gold sleeve and wire dangle, crystal lobed bead mounted in the socket. 0.83 grams, 23 mm



Ex property of a late Japanese 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: 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.

Featuring a chip-carved knotted scheme between scrolling flanks, dragon’s head terminal with upturned nostrils and snarling mouth revealing two rows of vicious teeth; flat back with three studs for attachment; mounted on a custom-made stand. 7 grams, 23 mm (21 grams total, 57mm including stand)

Very fine condition.

Previously in a North European collection. Ex UK collection. Nigel Mills, East London, UK. Property of a Cambridgeshire, UK, gentleman.

Animal heads of this size were often used to make mounts or small weights. They often had insertions of precious stones in the eyes and cavities, and were made of gold, silver, lead, and gilded bronze. The Norse mythological bestiary was varied, and dragon heads were common. Perhaps this head represents the world serpent, Jǫrmungandr, son of Loki and destined to die at the hands of Thor in Ragnarok, in turn killing the god with his poisonous exhalations.

A rectangular bronze pendant formed as a pair of addorsed horse-heads in profile and openwork panel; bar with seven articulated chains each terminating in a pendant formed as the foot of a wading bird, Finno-Ugric type. 146 grams, 15 cm



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