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.
-
Anglo-Scandinavian Viking Bronze Urnes Pendant
11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £546
Triangular in profile with openwork Urnes Style interlace, attachment pins to lower corners (one absent). 11.2 grams, 41 mm
Found near York, UK. From an old private collection of Norfolk, UK, gentleman, formed since 1998.
The design is clearly based on the contemporary stirrup mount style with dense openwork interlace and attachment points; the item lacks the rear ledge and attachment stud of the true mounts. -
Viking Age Silver Ear Scoop with Pierced Handle
Circa 9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £72
Formed as four loops in sequence developing to a short shank with scoop finial. 3.33 grams, 58 mm
Private collection, Arundel, West Sussex, UK, 1980s. -
Viking Bronze Penannular Brooch Collection
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £46
Comprising: penannular brooches each with coiled finials and pin wound around the shank. 23.2 grams total, 40-48 mm
Acquired on the European art market since the early 2000s. From the private Northern Ireland collection of R.M.
