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LOT 1312
Viking Age Iron Socketted Spearhead Group
10TH-12TH CENTURY A.D.
10 1/4 - 11 in. (425 grams total, 26-28 cm).
Comprising two short Baltic Prussian spearheads with lentoid-section lanceolate blade, short neck and tapering circular socket with single hole for attachment pin; remains of wood inside one of the shafts. [2, No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired 1971-1972.
From the collection of the vendor's father.
Property of a London, UK, collector.
Cf. Sedov, B.B., Finno-Ugri i Balti v Epokhi Srednevekovija, Moscow, 1987, pl.CXXX, items 2,11.
FootnotesPrussian horsemen, like the Lithuanian and Livonian, were ‘light - armed’, as the Prussian documents say, yet their equipment, of sword and spear, helmet and even shirt of mail, was sufficient to enable them to hold their ground against the Teutonic forces.
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Viking Age Silver Chain Necklace
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Viking Bronze Tortoise Brooch Necklace Set with Pendants
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Comprising: two oval brooches, each domed with raised ornament, wide flange, ferrous remains of the pin to the reverse; suspended from the lower edge of each brooch a triangular openwork spacer plate with three tiers of red and green glass tubular beads, the lower tier with a discoid pendant plaque with bands of raised pellets; three double-link chains running between the plates; three more chains from each plate with an amuletic or decorative pendant comprising a bronze model knife in its sheath, a silver(?) Dirhem coin, an iron model dog with punched decoration, a latch-lifter key, a pair of bronze crotal bells, a stone disc or spindle whorl; displayed on a large high-quality custom-made display stand by Colin Bowles Limited. 7.7 kg total, 56 x 54 cm including display frame
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Family collection formed after World War II; thence by descent. Ex London collection since 2016.
Women's display jewellery in the Viking age comprised both utilitarian and symbolic items. The brooches were worn high on the chest, supporting an apron-type overdress (hangerok) with the beads and chains strung between them and various small items attached. The pendants probably symbolised the authority of the female in the domestic sphere (key, coin, spindle whorl), and in husbandry (model animal, crotal bells, model knife).
