Viking Age Gold Earrings with Amethyst Gemstones

In the form of an equine creature modelled in the round with long beak and arched neck; panels of gilded Style I ornament to each lateral face, stepped band with punched detailing extending from the ears to the chest; rounded rump with pointillé detailing; hollow mounting socket to the underside. 13.6 grams, 42 mm



Acquired early 1990s. From an East Anglian private collection. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11895-204402.

The socket on the underside suggests that the mount was placed prominently, perhaps on the crest of a helmet. Zoomorphic helmet mounts are known e.g. the boars on the Benty Grange and Wollaston examples, though these are not so detailed as the present example. The item is too small to be seen from afar but is ornate enough to attract attention at close quarters. Stylistically, the piece might have been made in southern Scandinavia or in an Anglian area of England in the later 5th or 6th century A.D.

The pin finial formed with a round-section stem and facetted head, each of four faces displaying a punched ring-and-dot motif; a zoomorphic strap end terminal, formed as a beast in relief, possibly Romanesque. 6.28 grams total, 20-21 mm



From an old English collection formed before 2000. Acquired on the UK art market.

Comprising a rock crystal sphere with shallow notches to accept gold filigree straps, looped at the bottom with separate dangle and green calcite or similar insert; gathered at the top into a sheet gold tube and suspended from a gold wire hoop with ends twisted round the shank. 23.3 grams, 66 mm



Private collection formed in Europe in the 1980s. Westminster collection, central London, UK.