Loading, please wait...
Details
LOT 0398
Viking Age Silver Shield-Maiden Pendant
CIRCA 9TH-10TH CENTURY A.D.
1 1/2 in. (8.08 grams, 40.68 mm).
A female in floor-length robe holding a shield in her right hand and drawn knife in her left, stylised headdress and long plaited band of hair to the rear; pierced lug to the reverse.
Provenance
Acquired on the UK art market in the 1980s.
Ex property of a Cambridgeshire, UK, gentleman.
Literature
See Vang Petersen, P., Valkyrier og Bersærker. Mytologien i Smykkekunsten, in Madsen, P.K. (ed.), Danefæ. Skatte fra den Danske Muld, Copenhagen, 2010; Gardeła, L., ‘Warrior-women’ in Viking Age Scandinavia, A preliminary archaeological study in Analecta Archaeologica Ressoviensia, vol.8, Rzeszów, 2013.
Footnotes
This pendant resembles a find from Galgebakke, Denmark, a silver figure holding a short sword and clutching a shield by the boss (Vang Petersen, item 4). The Galgebakke figure is identified as female on the basis of the elaborate crested hairstyle, and an ankle-length dress with tiny feet beneath. The interpretation usually offered for this figure is that of a skjoldmø or 'shield-maiden', a female who takes up arms in pursuit of vengeance such as the legendary Hervor in Hervarar saga ok Heiðreks. Scholars used to interpret these armed females as valkyries - hand maidens of the god Oðinn - but the idea has been challenged recently (Gardeła, 2013).
CONDITIONVETTING:
TimeLine 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:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
RELATED LOTS
-
Viking Age Scandinavian Silver Filigree Lozenge-Shaped Pendant
Circa 9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £715
With integral loop, twisted filigree rim, applied filigree knot and scroll motifs, granules and central boss. 1.92 grams, 31 mm
Private collection formed in Europe in the 1980s. Westminster collection, central London, UK. -
Viking Lead Gaming Board 'King Piece' with Plundered Bronze Styca
Circa 9th-10th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £364
Lead trade weight or gaming piece with inset irregular issue Styca with blundered legends, dating to c.843/4-c.855 A.D. 13.6 grams, 18 mm
Found whilst searching with a metal detector near Ripon, North Yorkshire, UK. -
Viking Age Silver-Gilt Oseberg Contorted Beast Pendant
Circa 10th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £364
Openwork disc pendant with Oseberg Style disjointed body, facing mask, pierced suspension lug above. 6.29 grams, 39.51 mm
Acquired on the German art market before 2000. From a London W1, UK, collection.
There is a class of discoid pendants with banded borders and contorted figures found in the hinterland of the Baltic region, associated with the influence of Scandinavian settlers. The design of these items recalls specific elements of Scandinavian art - for example, the 'gripping hands' motif is a feature of the Oseberg Style named after the famous Norwegian ship-burial. Oseberg Style is associated with the beginnings of the Viking age, and was current in the 9th century when Scandinavian settlers began to establish centres of trade and political control in the area of the rivers Dnieper and Volga. The motif has been interpreted as a horse and linked with various legends and mythic figures.
