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LOT 0258
Viking Age Silver Gripping Beast Pendant
LATE 10TH-EARLY 11TH CENTURY A.D.
1 1/4 in. (5.48 grams, 32 mm).
A silver Scandinavian pendant of Riddarholmen type with integral loop; the openwork plaque with banded border and four panels, internal stylised zoomorph with hatched panel to the hip, gripping three-fingered hands to the body and border, two detailed feet, clearly visible facing mask below the loop with pellet eyes. [No Reserve]
ProvenancePrivate collection formed in Europe in the 1980s.
Westminster collection, central London, UK.
Cf. Korshyn, V.E., Yazicheskiye Priveski Drevniye Rusi X-XIV Vekov, Moscow, 2013, items K.2.01-03.
FootnotesRiddarholmen type pendants were also widespread in the historical Rus region centred on Kiev.
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 Period Silver Pin
8th-10th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £33
A silver dress- or hair-pin comprising a tapering round-section stem and conical finial; stem tip absent. 6.3 grams, 12.5 cm
Acquired in the late 1990s-2000. Property of an East London gentleman. -
Scandinavian Viking Silver Equal-Arm Brooch
9th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £57
A silver equal-arm brooch of Aargård Type III A, with central segmented boss, symmetrical lozengiform scooped flanges with Borre Style low-relief geometric ornament and trefoil finial, ferrous pin to the reverse with lugs and catch, short length of copper-alloy suspension chain attached to a loop to the reverse. 52.4 grams, 13 cm
Fine condition.
Acquired before 1960. From the family collection of a UK gentleman, by descent in the early 1970s. -
Viking Age Patrix Die with Figure
Circa 9th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £286
A Moravian sub-triangular copper-alloy patrix die displaying a stylised standing figure to the upper face, inorans pose, ring-and-dot and other symbols in the field. 41.5 grams, 43 mm
Acquired before 2000. From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK.
The Great Moravian Empire, Christianised by East Frankish missionaries and later experienced significant cultural development under King Rastislav, with the arrival of the mission of Saints Cyril and Methodius in 863 A.D., developed its own artistic style under the influence of Carolingian Empire and Eastern Roman Empire. The images of praying saints, similar to our figure, are evident on belt plate decorations, where the image of the suppliant with open hands and long talaris tunica is often repeated. If the two stylised figures are interpreted as lions, the patrix die could possibly represent the Biblical story of Daniel in the lion’s cave.
