Viking Age Twisted Silver Bracelet

With broad curved blade and short spur beneath the chin, narrow neck, deep socket with extended edge to the reverse. 603 grams, 14.5 cm



From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.

The axe seems to be a variation of type IV of the Kirpichnikov classification of the Eastern Rus Axes typology. These axes appeared in the 10th century, and continued in the 10th-11th century.

Featuring a chip-carved knotted scheme between scrolling flanks, dragon’s head terminal with upturned nostrils and snarling mouth revealing two rows of vicious teeth; flat back with three studs for attachment; mounted on a custom-made stand. 7 grams, 23 mm (21 grams total, 57mm including stand)

Very fine condition.

Previously in a North European collection. Ex UK collection. Nigel Mills, East London, UK. Property of a Cambridgeshire, UK, gentleman.

Animal heads of this size were often used to make mounts or small weights. They often had insertions of precious stones in the eyes and cavities, and were made of gold, silver, lead, and gilded bronze. The Norse mythological bestiary was varied, and dragon heads were common. Perhaps this head represents the world serpent, Jǫrmungandr, son of Loki and destined to die at the hands of Thor in Ragnarok, in turn killing the god with his poisonous exhalations.

Openwork mount of Williams's Class A Type 16, tongue-shaped with tendrils and two facing bears' heads, vestigial ledge to rear and ferrous stud. 27.1 grams, 47 mm



Found Norfolk, UK. From an old private collection of Norfolk, UK, gentleman, formed since 1998.

The form with two stacked facing masks is unusual, although mounts of Class B regularly feature multiple heads.