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LOT 1580
Viking Age Silver Axehead Pendant
CIRCA 8TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
1 3/4 in. (3.75 grams, 44 mm).
Tapering axehead pendant on a ring with coiled ends, triangular punched detailing.
ProvenanceAcquired on the London art market in the late 1980s-1990s.
From the family collection of an East London, UK, gentleman.
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AUCTIONS:
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Viking Age Silver Axe-Shaped Pendant with Ring
Circa 9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Suspension ring with ends wound around the shank, triangular axehead pendant. 2.21 grams, 43 mm
Property of the vendor's grandfather, thence by family descent, circa 1985. From the private collection of a New York, USA gentleman. -
Viking Iron Bearded Axehead
Circa 9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £359
With triangular section narrow blade widening to a broad bevelled edge with square chin, flared wings to the scooped socket. 275 grams, 11.5 cm
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s. -
Viking Age Silver-Gilt Oseberg Contorted Beast Pendant
Circa 10th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £364
Openwork disc pendant with Oseberg Style disjointed body, facing mask, pierced suspension lug above. 6.29 grams, 39.51 mm
Acquired on the German art market before 2000. From a London W1, UK, collection.
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.
