Viking Age Gold Animal Head Pendant

With domed elliptical body and narrow flange, high-relief palmette ornament and omega-shaped panels and opposed ravens with curved beaks. 62.6 grams, 80 mm



From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.

The silvery appearance of the brooch is probably due to a high proportion of tin in the bronze alloy.

A female in floor-length robe holding a shield in her right hand and drawn knife in her left, stylised headdress and long plaited band of hair to the rear; pierced lug to the reverse. 8.08 grams, 40.68 mm



Acquired on the UK art market in the 1980s. Ex property of a Cambridgeshire, UK, gentleman.

This pendant resembles a find from Galgebakke, Denmark, a silver figure holding a short sword and clutching a shield by the boss (Vang Petersen, item 4). The Galgebakke figure is identified as female on the basis of the elaborate crested hairstyle, and an ankle-length dress with tiny feet beneath. The interpretation usually offered for this figure is that of a skjoldmø or 'shield-maiden', a female who takes up arms in pursuit of vengeance such as the legendary Hervor in Hervarar saga ok Heiðreks. Scholars used to interpret these armed females as valkyries - hand maidens of the god Oðinn - but the idea has been challenged recently (Gardeła, 2013).

Large pendant with repoussé ring-and-dot and herringbone ornament; suspension rings with the ends coiled about the shank. 9.05 grams total, 26-50 mm



Property of the vendor's grandfather, thence by family descent, circa 1985. From the private collection of a New York, USA gentleman.