Loading, please wait...
Details
LOT 1745
Viking Age Gold Elfshot Crystal Pendant
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D. OR EARLIER
1/2 in. (0.59 grams, 14 mm).
Comprising a D-shaped gold cap with arched recesses to each flat face, integral loop above, inset crystal bead with reserved pellet eyes.
Provenance
Acquired 1980-2015.
Ex Abelita family collection.
Footnotes
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.
CONDITIONVETTING:
TimeLine 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.
RELATED LOTS
-
Viking Age Decorated Bone Knife Handle
8th-10th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £98
Portion of single-edged blade from a knife with attached scales to the handle, each D-shaped in section flaring towards the outer end; incised pattern of whorls, tendrils and hatched discs to the outer end of each. 33 grams, 11.5 cm
Acquired on the European art market since the early 2000s. From the private Northern Ireland collection of R.M. -
Viking Age Silver Bead Group
Circa 9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £91
Each a collared ribbed oval, one with applied hoops to the ends and circlets to the ribs. 3.34 grams total, 23-24 mm
Private collection formed in Europe in the 1980s. Westminster collection, central London, UK. -
Large Viking Age Bronze Twisted Ring Pin
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £33
With twisted square-section shank, loop finial with ring. 115 grams, 21.7 cm
Acquired on the European art market since the early 2000s. From the private Northern Ireland collection of R.M.
