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LOT 0326
Viking Age Silver Thor's Hammer Necklace
10TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
30 in. (116 grams, 76 cm long).
Comprising: an openwork trichinopoly chain with D-section beast-head terminals each with granule and filigree detailing, pierced at the lower end to accept a round-section hoop by two further rings to a hoop with free-running hollow silver Thor's hammer pendant with filigree ornament to the upper face. [No Reserve]
ProvenancePrivate collection formed in Europe in the 1980s.
Westminster collection, central London, UK.
Accompanied by a specialist metal analysis report.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11896-203749.
Cf. Magnus, B. et al., Bird, Beast and Man in Nordic Iron Age Art, Vol.2, Koln, 2005, items 77, 106, 239 (chain), Kongl. Vitterhets Historie och Antiqvitets Akademiens Månadsblad, 1895 (pendant).
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 Pendant with Huginn and Muninn
Circa 10th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,430
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. 6.01 grams, 30 mm high
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.
In 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. -
Viking Age Bronze Pendant with Interlace
11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £46
With pierced lug above, pelletted border with geometric design of four pelletted loops and central boss. 2.32 grams, 25 mm
Acquired in the 1990s. Ex property of a German collector.
In terms of material culture, it is impossible not to note the influence that the Scandinavians had on Rus at that time. Evidence of this, in particular, is a number of pendants from the main centres of Rus. It is curious that the composition of volute-shaped scrolls was widely popular among the Slavic environment of the 11th-mid-12th century. A similar pendant made of tin-lead alloy was found in Gochevo, Kursk region. -
Viking Age Bronze Ceremonial Spoon with Bear's Head and Paws
Circa 8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £182
The oval bowl with gently curved handle formed as a stylised bear in relief, displaying head and paw detailing. 12.9 grams, 71 mm
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.
