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LOT 1171
Viking Age Gold 'Elf Shot' Pendant
9TH-10TH CENTURY A.D. OR EARLIER
3/4 in. (0.64 grams, 21 mm).
Formed as a gold cap with rounded claws, set with polished glass gem; integral suspension loop with a later jump ring.
ProvenanceFrom a late Japanese specialist collector, 1970-2000s.
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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AUCTIONS:
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Viking Age Gold Ingot 'Hack' Money
9th-11th century A.D. or earlierSold for (Inc. bp): £494
Kidney-shaped with uneven surfaces. 8.21 grams, 18 mm
Found near Sleaford, Lincolnshire, UK. Recorded with Lincolnshire Finds Liason Officer (FLO) for the Portable Antiquities Scheme and returned to the finder.
Believed to be of a Dark Age date or older, but undiagnostic, however XRF analysis suggests an ancient date is probable: Au 72.5, Ag 15.0, Cu 7.8, Fe 4.6, Zn 0.1. -
Viking Age Bronze Bird Brooch
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Modelled standing left with stylised detailing; likely a cockerel; pin lug and catchplate to reverse. 6.4 grams, 26 mm
From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.
Similar brooches are known from Denmark and some examples show us a very similar form and decoration. So far England is the only area outside Scandinavia where bird brooches similar to those discovered in Denmark have been found. The archaeological finds indicate close contacts between England and Denmark in the first half of the 11th century. Anne Pedersen suggests that Byzantium art may be a source of inspiration for these specific type of brooches as is evident from the Danish coinage of the 11th century that direct or indirect influence from Constantinople played an important role, especially in connection with the presence of Danish mercenaries in the Varangian Guard of the Roman emperor. -
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Anglo-Scandinavian Viking Bronze Three-Dimensional Urnes Stirrup Apex Mount
11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £6,500
The substantial heater-shaped plaque with spectacular openwork Urnes style design, the standing beast with entwined tendrils, pronounced head at the apex, narrow ledge to the reverse and rivet holes to each corner with two rivets remaining. 31 grams, 64 mm
Found Norfolk, UK.
