Loading, please wait...
_900x900.jpg "Viking Age Gold Elf Shot Pendant with Garnet")
_200x200.jpg "Viking Age Gold Elf Shot Pendant with Garnet")
.jpg "Viking Age Gold Elf Shot Pendant with Garnet")
LOT 1403
Viking Age Gold Elf Shot Pendant with Garnet
9TH-12TH CENTURY A.D.
1 in. (0.94 grams, 24 mm).
With a suspension loop and short length of chain composed of coiled wire links, clasping a polished plano-convex garnet.
ProvenanceAcquired 1970-2010.
Collection of a late Japanese gentleman.
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.
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:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
-
Viking Age Iron Bearded Axehead
11th-13th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
Finno-Ugrian with curved blade, swept rear edge, square chin, socket with downwards flanged sides. 602 grams, 16.5 cm
Acquired 1971-1972. From the collection of the vendor's father. Property of a London, UK, collector.
This type of bearded axe seems to correspond to the category of Eastern Axes inside the Viking axe classification. Usually these bearded axeheads (skeggöks) had a longer edge, designed to split tree trunks into planks and beams. Some of the bearded axes were known as halfÞynna öx; the neck on such 'half thin axe' was thinly forged, to make it lighter. Bearded axes of this type appear also in the weaponry of people from the Baltic. -
Viking Age Plundered Gold Abbasid Dinar Coin Pendant
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £403
Formed from an Abbasid caliphate dinar coin with ribbed suspension loop above. 4.43 grams, 24 mm
Private collection, London, UK; formed 1970s-1980s. -
.jpg)
Viking Age Gold Elf Shot Pendant with Garnet
9th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £312
With a suspension loop and short length of chain composed of coiled wire links, clasping a polished plano-convex garnet. 0.94 grams, 24 mm
Fine condition.
Acquired 1970-2010. Collection of a late Japanese gentleman.
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.
