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LOT 0325
Viking Age Silver Beast Pendant
CIRCA 9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
1 1/2 in. (7.09 grams, 39 mm).
Openwork panel in the form of two opposed beasts with their open jaws interlaced to form a loop; central facing mask; ribbed suspension tube above. [No Reserve]
ProvenancePrivate collection formed in Europe in the 1980s.
Westminster collection, central London, UK.
Cf. Magnus, B., Men, Gods and Masks in Nordic Iron Age Art, Volume 1, Köln, 2003, item 227, for similar type.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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Viking Age Silver Beast Pendant
Circa 9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £975
Openwork panel in the form of two opposed beasts with their open jaws interlaced to form a loop; central facing mask; ribbed suspension tube above. 7.09 grams, 39 mm
Private collection formed in Europe in the 1980s. Westminster collection, central London, UK. -
Viking Silver-Gilt Seated Freyja Mount
Circa 9th-10th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,470
A parcel-gilt plaque pendant with facing seated figure, probably the goddess Freyja, modelled in the half-round; the hands raised to grip lateral ribbed strands of hair, the garment formed as two crossed bands on the chest, the knees prominent and feet placed together; emerging from each strand of hair, a feline with curled tail, ribbed body, foreleg curled over the neck, notched fingers and triangular face with lappet and snubbed snout; loop above the head, three holes to the edges. 30.6 grams, 46 mm
Private collection formed in Europe in the 1980s. Westminster collection, central London, UK. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13159-248791.
The figure represents a seated female accompanied by two cats. In the Icelandic poem Gylfaginning (The Deceiving of Gylfi), Freyja is said to be seated in her chariot drawn by two cats. Her hall in heaven is called Sessrumnir, meaning 'with room for many seats'. She is also associated with a high seat from which prophecy is made, similar to that of Odin. -
Viking Age Iron Socketted Hook-Billed Axehead
Circa 9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £286
With a long, deeply curved blade, short neck, socket with slightly curved wings above and below, and hammer-face to rear; professionally cleaned, conserved, and restored. 618 grams, 15.2 cm
From the family collection of a South East London collector; formerly acquired in the late 1950s.
These axes are typical of Baltic workmanship. During this age, the axes were the favourite weapons of many Baltic people, including the Curonian army, which included lightly armed soldiers who fought with spears, shields, fighting knives and axes. A heavily armed soldier could also carry a sword, a helmet, a shield, and a wide-bladed axe.
