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.
-
Viking Period Penannular Brooch Group
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
Comprising: a silver omega-shaped roundel with applied granule clusters; penannular brooch with scrolled finials and pin looped around the shank. 11.4 grams total, 24-41 mm
UK private collection before 2000. Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a London gentleman. -
Viking Inspired Silver Penannular Omega Brooch Collection
12th-14th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £546
A group of flat-section Mordvinian type brooches, decorated to the trapezoidal plates with raised pellets, reserved scroll tendrils, hatching and other ornament. 91 grams total, 52-57 mm
Acquired on the European art market since the early 2000s. From the private Northern Ireland collection of R.M.
This type of brooch belongs to the typologies of the omega brooches. It was probably used by Ugro-Finnic people to fasten the shirt at the neck or to attach other lighter garments. These brooches evolved to become very elaborate, with dangling springs from the edges, and were often worn in pairs, particularly on female garments. In this late Viking period their coins demonstrated Russian and Eastern Roman influences in their art and jewellery. -
Anglo-Scandinavian Viking Bronze Harness Link
11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £20
With looped bow and pierced lug above, balustered shank with biting-beast detailing, pierced lug below. 17.4 grams, 62 mm
UK private collection before 2000. Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a London gentleman.
