Loading, please wait...

Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge

Details

LOT 0304

Viking Age Gold Open-Ended Ring

9TH-12TH CENTURY A.D.

1 in. (7.43 grams, 23.67 mm overall, 18.76 mm internal diameter (approximate size British M, USA 6, Europe 12.46, Japan 12)).

Formed as a coiled gold rod with overlapped ends; possibly from a hoard of gold and hacksilver.

Provenance

Ex Alexander Cotton collection, Brockenhurst, UK, 1970s.
Private collection Surrey, UK, 2000s.

Literature

See Graham-Campbell, J., The Cuerdale Hoard and Related Viking-Age Silver and Gold From Britain and Ireland in the British Museum, London, 2011, p.100-101, for full discussion.

CONDITION

VETTING:

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.

LOT 0304

Viking Age Gold Open-Ended Ring

Sold for (Inc. bp): £780

Print page

RELATED LOTS

  • Scandinavian Viking Bronze Drum Brooch with Interlaced Panels
    Scandinavian Viking Bronze Drum Brooch with Interlaced Panels
    8th-9th century A.D.

    Estimate: £2,000 - 3,000 (+bp*)

    Opening Bid: £1,111

    With four raised arms and central knop to the upper face, all with punched ring-and-dot detailing; the outer sidewall with four panels of knotwork, dividing vertical stems with ring-and-dot motif, each with a D-shaped protrusion; the upper face with dense zoomorphic ornament; pin and separate catchplate to the underside with central hole, five studs retaining it to the upper. 71.6 grams total, 45 mm

    Fine condition, pin intact, backplate slightly cracked.

    UK gallery, acquired in the 2000s. Property of an English gentleman. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11406-192532.

    The type is known as a 'drum' brooch or 'box' brooch. They were apparently manufactured on the island of Gotland and all known examples probably have their origin there. Over time, the refinement of the earlier types (such as the present example) is superseded by cruder decoration consisting of dimples or simple dots.

    Lot Details

  • Viking Age Borre Style Bronze Strap End with Wolfs Head
    Viking Age Borre Style Bronze Strap End with Wolf's Head
    10th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £91

    With five attachment pins to the reverse, panel of Borre style ring-chain ornament with transverse ribbed panel, mask to the tip. 7.61 grams, 44 mm



    Acquired before 1990. Ex property of a professional collector.

    The Borre style was a Viking art style which had a significant impact on the material culture of Britain during the Viking age of the latter 9th and 10th centuries. The type is mainly divided into three sub-types on the basis of motifs used: a) animal masks and ring-knot; b) vertebral ring-chain; and c) other interlace designs. Our specimen belongs to the first sub-type.

    Lot Details

  • Viking Bronze Openwork Box Brooch with Silver Detailing
    Viking Bronze Openwork Box Brooch with Silver Detailing
    11th century A.D.

    Estimate: £600 - 800 (‡+bp*)

    Opening Bid: £300

    Formed as an openwork outer shell, inner container and bottom plate; the upper face with central conical boss and four small satellite bosses each with a silver surface disc; to the outer face four pierced tongue-shaped panels with D-shaped finials proud of the upper face, each with a silvered element to the upper end; the bottom plate with integral catchplate and central void, four attachment pins to the underside; the upper face and sidewall executed in Urnes style zoomorphic openwork; the inner element a plain sheet-bronze container. 95 grams, 55 mm



    Acquired in the 1950s. Ex private collection, South West England.

    On the Baltic island of Gotland, high-ranking females wore 'box' (or 'drum') brooches to secure their outer garments at the shoulders. The inner container may have been used to hold small valuables.

    Lot Details

Stay up-to-date with the latest from TimeLine Auctions by joining our mailing list