Viking Age Silver Axehead Pendant

Comprising: a restrung headdress formed as ten square panels, each with vertical bands of pellets framing four columns of ring-and-dot ornament, with interstitial groups of three tubular spacer beads with corrugated profile; two dress-pins each with a lobed cruciform head and appliqué panel, pierced lug at the top of the shank to mount a transverse cocked-hat panel with three pendant chains of double links, faced with an appliqué tinned sheet with stamped motifs of hatched triangles, ring-and-dot and billets to the border; bow-brooch with transverse spring and header with knop finials ornamented with beaded collars, stepped bow with coiled wire collar and semicircular bar with notched upper face, trapezoidal footplate with catch and pin to reverse; each mounted on a custom-made stand. 2.3 kg total, crown: 36 cm high including stand, brooches: 15-22.5 cm high including stand



Acquired on the UK art market, 1995-2000s. Private collection, London. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13242-252258.

With integral loop, border enclosing a low-relief image of a male facing mask between two birds embraced at the necks; Kipplingeberg type. 3.81 grams, 23 mm



Private collection formed in Europe in the 1980s. Westminster collection, central London, UK.

Flat-section axehead dangle attached to a sturdy wire suspension loop. 4.9 grams, 41 mm



Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.