Viking Age Silver Artefact Group

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. 8.44 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 settlers. The design of these items recalls specific elements of Scandinavian art - for example, the 'gripping hands' motif is a feature of the Oseberg Style named after the famous Norwegian ship-burial. Oseberg Style is associated with the beginnings of the Viking age, and was current in the 9th century when Scandinavian settlers began to establish centres of trade and political control in the area of the rivers Dnieper and Volga. The motif has been interpreted as a horse and linked with various legends and mythic figures.

With pentagonal body bearing zoomorphic designs, pierced close to the apex for attachment to a stirrup-strap, with two holes close to the lower edge and ledge to the reverse; Williams's Class A Type 16. 22.39 grams, 47 mm



Found Hampshire, UK.

This mount is not typical of the Class but the trilobe 'topknot' at the apex is clearly based on the design of Type 16 with a facing animal-head.

Comprising: an ovoid pendant with openwork centre and simple decoration; mount with rectangular headplate, bow and foot, with four piercings; lunar pendant with geometric ornament and beast head terminals; belt fitting with rectangular slot and scooped sides, zoomorphic ornament; carinated ring suspending a smaller penannular ring. 32.9 grams total, 23-47 mm



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