Viking Age Jellinge Style Bronze Regardant Beast Pendant

With raised ribs delimiting the ornamental zones, hollow to the reverse. 85 grams, 73 mm



From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.

With integral loop, openwork regardant Jellinge style beast with tendrils and border. 6.06 grams, 35 mm



From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.

There is a class of discoid pendants with banded borders and contorted figures found in the hinterland of the Baltic region, associated with the influence of Scandinavian 'Rus' settlers. The design of these items recalls specific elements of Viking art - for example, the 'gripping hands' motif is a feature of the Oseberg Style named after the famous Norwegian ship-burial.

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.