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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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Viking Age Stamped Silver Pendant
Circa 8th-10th century A.D. or laterSold for (Inc. bp): £312
A discoid silver pendant decoratively stamped with blank triangles, triangles containing trefoil pellets and annulets containing pellets; ribbed tubular suspension loop; Latvian workmanship. 11.8 grams, 55 mm
Acquired in the 1990s. From a North Yorkshire private collection, UK. -
Viking Age Silver Gripping Beast Pendant
Late 10th-early 11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £910
A silver Scandinavian pendant of Riddarholmen type with integral loop; the openwork plaque with banded border and four panels, internal stylised zoomorph with hatched panel to the hip, gripping three-fingered hands to the body and border, two detailed feet, clearly visible facing mask below the loop with pellet eyes. 5.48 grams, 32 mm
Private collection formed in Europe in the 1980s. Westminster collection, central London, UK.
Riddarholmen type pendants were also widespread in the historical Rus region centred on Kiev. -
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.
