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LOT 2064
Viking Age Silver Axehead Pendant
CIRCA 9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
2 in. (5.78 grams, 49 mm).
Comprising an axe-shaped pendant with a flaring blade and a punched annulet-in-ring motif, a large suspension loop. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceEx German art market, 2000s.
Acquired from an EU collector living in London.
From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
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AUCTIONS:
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Viking Age Tooth Pendant
Circa 9th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £72
Comprising a domed bronze cap with a round suspension loop, set with a long striated tooth or a tusk. 22.9 grams, 78.6 mm
Ex UK private collection, 1980s. Acquired from a London antiques fair. -
Viking Age Silver Amuletic Pendant
Circa 900-1100 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £46
Rectangular plaque with a ribbed suspension loop. 0.75 grams, 20 mm
From an ancient art collection, formerly acquired on the UK, European, and USA art markets from pre-2000 collections. Property of a West Northamptonshire, UK, gentleman. -
Viking Silver-Gilt Elfshot Pendant with Stone Arrowhead
9th-11th century A.D. and earlierSold for (Inc. bp): £845
Comprising a silver sleeve with a knapped flint arrowhead, a circular cell set with a clear glass cabochon above. 3.46 grams, 44.84 mm
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.
This amulet was believed to offer protection against 'Elfshot'. The attack of elves was believed responsible for mysterious suffering in men and livestock: sudden shooting pains localised to a particular area of the body, such as in rheumatism, arthritis, or muscle stitches or cramps. Elves were thought to shoot darts or arrows where such pains had no obvious external cause. Belief in elfshot persisted into the 20th century in rural areas, and as proof, country folk would sometimes find small arrowheads (the remains of Neolithic or Mesolithic flints, or naturally-occurring spear-shaped stones) that were believed to be the magical weapons that caused the afflictions. Belief in elfshot began in the Pagan Germanic period.
