Viking Age Latten Inlaid Iron Key

Of Mordvinian type comprising a round-section hoop and two trapezoidal plate finials each with a geometric design of granulation; remains of round-section pin coiled to the hoop. 10.6 grams, 55 mm



Acquired before 1980. Ex property of a London collector. Acquired on the UK art market in 2013. Property of a Kent lady collector.

With a flat-section penannular body with expanding terminals; the upper face with incised X-motifs and herringbone pattern to the flaring terminals. 15.5 grams, 61 mm



Ex old English collection. London art market, pre 2000. Property of a London, UK, gentleman.

Comprising: two examples of a long and narrow tongue-shaped type (Paulsen's Gruppe V 2A, Untergruppe C) with scooped upper edge and palmette motif to the centre, a vertical band of reserved stylised ring-chain decoration on a pounced field, long lateral straps and a knop finial (one with an upper arm absent); a subtriangular type (Paulsen's Gruppe I 2, Untergruppe C) with central openwork panel displaying a bird in flight with the fan-shaped tail marked with radiating lines, trilinear bands to the outer sides, upper edges angled and with a lozengiform 'knot' at the apex; a long and rounded tongue-shaped type (Paulsen's Gruppe I 1) with an openwork centre and Ringerike Style bird formed with looped bands, pellets to the pinions, a triangular in plan head joined to the inner faces of the ropework border forming the upper edge of the chape, with a wolf's head at the apex and stepped knop finial (one face damaged); a single plate from a chape of the same type (Gruppe I 1) with a rounded lower edge and the apex absent. 158 grams total, 59-75 mm



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

The slender, tongue-shaped elongated form (Gruppe V2A, Untergruppe C) is regarded by Paulsen (p.118) as Latvian in origin ("Lettland") and 11th century in date. The broader openwork form (Gruppe I 2, Untergruppe C) is associated with the Baltic island of Gotland, which was a major entrepot in the trade network connecting Sweden with the eastern Baltic and the riverine passage south to the Mediterranean; a 10th century date is preferred for this type. The long openwork form (Gruppe I 1) is Scandinavian in origin and appears first in the 10th century; Paulsen's figure 6 from Oland, Sweden, is a close match to the complete example included here.