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LOT 0315
Viking Age Silver Pendant with Huginn and Muninn
CIRCA 10TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
1 1/8 in. (6.01 grams, 30 mm high).
Composed of an openwork discoid body displaying the two mythical ravens Huginn and Muninn positioned back-to-back, heads turned to face each other, simple detailing to their feathers and raised notched border; suspension loop to apex. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.
FootnotesIn Norse mythology, these two ravens were sent on daily flights around the world by the god Odin. Believed to have been granted the power of speech by Odin, the birds would perch on the god's shoulders to relay news gathered on their travels.
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 Bronze Decorated Penannular Brooch
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £85
With square-headed terminals decorated with punched ring-and-dot motifs, free-running pin, brooch body with carinated upper face. 13.1 grams, 38 mm
From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s. -
Viking Age Bronze Twisted Ring
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
The hoop expanding at the shoulders to a faux-twisted bezel. 6.67 grams, 29.86 mm overall, 19.74 mm internal diameter (approximate size British V, USA 10 1/2, Europe 23.77, Japan 22)
From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s. -
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Viking Age Bronze Sword Scabbard Chape Collection
10th-12th century A.D.Estimate: £700 - 900 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £350
Comprising: a small and narrow type (Paulsen's Gruppe I 2, Untergruppe d) with an openwork panel to each face filled by a cross-shaped motif with curved cross-bar, and a dentilled upper edge to the mouth; a tongue-shaped type (Paulsen's Gruppe I 1) with an openwork centre and Ringerike style bird formed with looped bands, pellets to the pinions, a triangular in plan head joined to the inner faces of the ropework border forming the upper edge of the chape, with a wolf's head at the apex and stepped knop finial (apex and lower end of the chape damaged); two of the same type (Gruppe I 1) with a pair of scrolls in the central void and a 'knot' to the apex', one with ropework detailing and a wolf's head; a broad D-shaped plaque with a plain reverse plate riveted in place, guilloche band to the outer edge and interlaced vines to the centre. 118 grams total, 46-75 mm
From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.
The chape with the dentilled upper edge bears a cross motif on which only the curvature of the cross-piece indicates its origin in the raven/eagle figure found more commonly on this type; as its ornament has developed a long way from its original form, it should be dated to the 11 or 12th century. The D-shaped plaque with the plain reverse is not in Paulsen's typology but appears to be derived from the smaller types in his Gruppe VII.
