Loading, please wait...
LOT 1761
Viking Age Gold 'Elf Shot' Pendant
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D. OR EARLIER
3/8 in. (0.18 grams, 10 mm).
Decorated sheet gold sleeve, hoof-shaped stone mounted in the socket; loop absent. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired on the UK art market before 2000.
Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman.
This 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.
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.
-
.jpg)
Scandinavian Viking Bronze Boar Brooch with Figures
9th-10th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £780
Formed in two sections with a decorative upper element attached to a plain back-plate with pin, pin-lugs and catchplate intact; hollow upper section divided by a heavy median rib with figural and zoomorphic ornament in the outer panels, coiled and linear bands to the lower edges and rear panel; lobed ears to the corners of the wider end. 42.8 grams, 51 mm
UK collection, previously acquired in the 1980s. Property of a Canadian collector living in Ontario; acquired 2018. -
.jpg)
Viking Age Scandinavian Silver Filigree Pendant
Circa 9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £390
Discoid plate with integral suspension loop secured at the reverse, symmetrical design of applied silver filigree and clusters of granules. 3.12 grams, 30 mm
Private collection formed in Europe in the 1980s. Westminster collection, central London, UK. -
Anglo-Scandinavian Viking Bronze Stirrup Apex Mount Group
11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £156
Comprising: a tongue-shaped mount of Williams's Class A Type II with pierced trefoil final, high-relief wolf in profile with head raised, two rivet-holes to the base and narrow ledge to the reverse; a triangular mount of Williams' Class A Type 14 with three radiating arms at the apex and rivet-hole between, low-relief chevron to the plaque, angled ledge to the lower edge with median rivet-hole. 43.3 grams total, 49-53 mm
Acquired on the UK art market in the 1980s. From an East Anglian private collection.
