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LOT 0259
Viking Age Gold Hammer Amulet
9TH-12TH CENTURY A.D.
3/4 in. (1.57 grams, 20 mm).
A sheet-gold hammer amulet formed by doubling a single gold sheet; bifacial pellet ornament tracing the perimeter of the hammer and a central motif mimicking the broad plan of the weapon; suspension loop formed within the fold at the neck.
ProvenanceAcquired 1980-2015.
Ex Abelita family collection.
The techniques used to manufacture this pendant (working sheet gold and granulation) had been in the repertoire of the Scandinavian goldsmith since the Iron Age and formed part of the manufacturing process for bracteate pendants and other jewellery items (Reynolds Brown, K. et al., From Attila to Charlemagne. Arts of the Early Medieval Period in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 2000, p.15-16, 310-1).
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AUCTIONS:
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Anglo-Scandinavian Seax War Knife Pommel Cap with Interlaced Panels
10th century A.D.Estimate: £200 - 300 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £111
A substantial bronze seax (battle-knife) pommel comprising a flat oval-shaped top, narrow rim and four vandykes to the edges; the upper face with an incuse cruciform knot design, the edge with reserved spirals and guilloche motifs in Ringerike Style. 27.5 grams, 31 mm
Fine condition.
UK gallery, acquired in the 2000s. Property of an English gentleman.
The style of the decoration suggests an Anglo-Scandinavian source for the pommel. -
Viking Age Silver Filigree Pendant with Boss
9th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £546
A silver disc pendant with integral suspension loop; the obverse with central boss and beaded wire collar, frieze of comma-shaped filigree motifs with collared granules, filigree to the rim extending to the edges of the loop. 3.9 grams, 39 mm
Private collection formed in Europe in the 1980s. Westminster collection, central London, UK. -
Viking Age Silver Axe Pendant
Circa 9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £85
A silver pendant composed of a tapering lozenge-section hoop with overlapping arms and coiled terminals, suspending an axehead pendant. 2.78 grams, 37 mm
Acquired in the 1990s. UK private collection. Property of a Sussex, UK, teacher.