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LOT 1665
Viking Age Gold 'Elf Shot' Pendant
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D. OR EARLIER
1 in. (0.83 grams, 23 mm).
Sheet gold sleeve and wire dangle, crystal lobed bead mounted in the socket.
ProvenanceEx property of a late Japanese 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: 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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High-Status Scandinavian Viking Silver Snarling Dragon Mount
9th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,900
Featuring a chip-carved knotted scheme between scrolling flanks, dragon’s head terminal with upturned nostrils and snarling mouth revealing two rows of vicious teeth; flat back with three studs for attachment; mounted on a custom-made stand. 7 grams, 23 mm (21 grams total, 57mm including stand)
Very fine condition.
Previously in a North European collection. Ex UK collection. Nigel Mills, East London, UK. Property of a Cambridgeshire, UK, gentleman.
Animal heads of this size were often used to make mounts or small weights. They often had insertions of precious stones in the eyes and cavities, and were made of gold, silver, lead, and gilded bronze. The Norse mythological bestiary was varied, and dragon heads were common. Perhaps this head represents the world serpent, Jǫrmungandr, son of Loki and destined to die at the hands of Thor in Ragnarok, in turn killing the god with his poisonous exhalations. -
Viking Period Silver Decorated Bracelet
Circa 9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £247
Comprising a narrow shank expanding to broad rectangular plaques, each with hatched borders and incised detailing. 16.8 grams, 60 mm
UK private collection before 2000. Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a London gentleman. -
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Pre-Viking Bronze Proto Boar's Head Brooch
7th-8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Formed as a keeled sub-triangular plaque, convex in profile with bulbs on the flanks extending to a short rounded projection; integral catchplate to reverse and remains of ferrous pin. 15.4 grams, 46 mm
Fine condition.
Acquired early 2000s. East Anglia, UK, collection.
This form of brooch developed from Scandinavian Iron Age forms of bow brooch with crossbar, bow and footplate; it later evolved into the standard form of boar-head brooch.
