Viking Age Gold-Capped Bone Hammer Pendant

With broad hoop tapering to round-section extensions forming a coiled continuation of the hoop; Baltic Semigallian type. 5.25 grams, 22.88 mm overall, 19.67 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R 1/2, USA 8 3/4, Europe 19.38, Japan 18)



From the collection of Alan Hardcastle. Ex private Merseyside, UK, collection since 2015.

Comprising: a long and narrow tongue-shaped type (Paulsen's Gruppe V 2A, Untergruppe C) with scooped upper edge and palmette motif to the centre, spurs to the a vertical band of reserved stylised ring-chain decoration on a pounced field, long lateral straps and a knop finial; a heater-shaped type (Paulsen's Gruppe I 2, Untergruppe C) with central openwork panel displaying a bird in flight with the fan-shaped tail marked with radiating lines, guilloche bands to the outer sides, upper edges angled and with lobe at the apex; an elongated type (Gruppe V 1) with low-relief pointillé bands to each face and a palmette at the apex of the central spur; a long 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; a single plaque (Gruppe V 1) from a two-part chape, long and rounded with palemete detailing to the upper edge, tendrils and scrolls to the body, pierced in two places to accept rivets. 178 grams total, 51-70 mm



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

Most of these chapes originate in Sweden or the western Baltic according to Paulsen's classification.

With zones of applied granulation to the D-shaped body, applied bosses with granule clusters, filigree borders and detailing, straps to the reverse. 10.5 grams, 57 mm



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