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LOT 1271
Viking Age Gold Elf Shot Pendant
9TH-12TH CENTURY A.D. OR EARLIER
5/8 in. (1.31 grams, 16 mm high).
A gold 'elf shot' pendant with arch-shaped body and collared suspension loop, set with a polished garnet or amethyst stone.
ProvenanceAcquired 1980-2015.
Ex Abelita family collection.
See Evans, J., The Ancient Stone Implements, Weapons and Ornaments of Great Britain, London, 1897, p.365, for discussion of curated stone blades for magical and curative purposes.
FootnotesThis 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.
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8th-10th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £442
A silver pendant composed of a free-running sub-triangular axehead pendant with flanges to the socket, one face displaying a dot-in-ring motif at the centre of concentric zigzagging triangles; slender ring with overlapping terminals forming coiled sleeves and spiralling plaques. 1.9 grams, 33 mm
Acquired before 2000. From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK. -
Viking Age Patrix Die with Figure
Circa 9th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £286
A Moravian sub-triangular copper-alloy patrix die displaying a stylised standing figure to the upper face, inorans pose, ring-and-dot and other symbols in the field. 41.5 grams, 43 mm
Acquired before 2000. From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK.
The Great Moravian Empire, Christianised by East Frankish missionaries and later experienced significant cultural development under King Rastislav, with the arrival of the mission of Saints Cyril and Methodius in 863 A.D., developed its own artistic style under the influence of Carolingian Empire and Eastern Roman Empire. The images of praying saints, similar to our figure, are evident on belt plate decorations, where the image of the suppliant with open hands and long talaris tunica is often repeated. If the two stylised figures are interpreted as lions, the patrix die could possibly represent the Biblical story of Daniel in the lion’s cave. -
Viking Age Silver Filigree Pendant with Boss
9th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £546
A silver disc pendant with integral suspension loop; the obverse with central boss and beaded wire collar, frieze of comma-shaped filigree motifs with collared granules, filigree to the rim extending to the edges of the loop. 3.9 grams, 39 mm
Private collection formed in Europe in the 1980s. Westminster collection, central London, UK.
