Viking Age Silver Filigree Pendant

Formed from a hollow vesica-shaped silver mount which rattles when shaken, probably a horse-harness fitting; with Urnes style interlaced dragons in low relief surrounding a facing bearded mask with large staring eyes (Thor?). 67 grams, 73 mm



Formerly acquired on the German art market in the early 1980s. Previously in a European collection in the 1990s. From an important central London collection. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by searcher certificate no. 200377.

The last phase of Viking art is the Urnes style from about 1050-1150. The Urnes style has gracefully curved lines of different width - swelling, tapering - but always in a curve. The tendril clusters from the Ringerike style are abandoned. The Urnes style developed shortly before the middle of the 11th century.

Finno-Ugrian with curved blade, swept rear edge, square chin, socket with downwards flanged sides. 602 grams, 16.5 cm



Acquired 1971-1972. From the collection of the vendor's father. Property of a London, UK, collector.

This type of bearded axe seems to correspond to the category of Eastern Axes inside the Viking axe classification. Usually these bearded axeheads (skeggöks) had a longer edge, designed to split tree trunks into planks and beams. Some of the bearded axes were known as halfÞynna öx; the neck on such 'half thin axe' was thinly forged, to make it lighter. Bearded axes of this type appear also in the weaponry of people from the Baltic.

Comprising facetted terminals and free-running tongue, decorated with three zones of geometric motifs, incised bands to the pin head. 160 grams, 10.2 cm wide



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