Viking Age Gold 'Elf Shot' Pendant

9TH-10TH CENTURY A.D. OR EARLIER

5/8 in. (0.73 grams, 15 mm).

Bell-shaped cup with suspension loop, inset irregular amethyst.

Provenance

From a late Japanese specialist collector, 1970-2000s.

Footnotes

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.

CONDITION

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LOT 1608