Loading, please wait...
LOT 0314
Viking Bronze Decorated Jeweller's Hammer
9TH–EARLY 11TH CENTURY A.D.
4 1/2 in. (50 grams total, 11.4 cm including stand).
Comprising: trapezoidal body with impressed ropework band to one face; flared conical arm with piening face, hatching to narrow end; rectangular-section blade with herringbone ornament to upper face, narrow working face; mounted on a custom-made stand.
ProvenanceAcquired on the London art market, 1990s.
Private collection, London.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
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.
-
Viking Gold Twisted Wire Ring
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £728
A single rod twisted about its own axis and coiled, with two applied granules. 1.95 grams, 22.84 mm overall, 19.20 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R 1/2, USA 8 3/4, Europe 19.38, Japan 18)
Ex property of a late Japanese collector, 1970-2000s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. -
Viking Age Bronze Comb Pair
Circa 9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
Flat-section comb with lateral cut teeth; D-shaped head with flat shank and pierced lobe finial, teeth cut to lower edge; probably for textile production on a loom. 19.6 grams total, 9.8-10 mm
Acquired on the European art market. Ex California, USA, private collection, 1980-2000. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. -
Pre-Viking Silver-Gilt Human-Headed Eagle Brooch
Circa 700 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,105
With broad looped body and wing, trapezoidal segmented tail, small angled claw; lentoid cell in the bow of the wing with inset garnet cloison; head with hooked beak and discoid panel with human facial feature; pin-lug to reverse with mineralised remains, possibly textile, and catch. 13.48 grams, 49 mm
By repute found in the Kristiansand area, Norway, in the early 20th century. From the collection of Jay Wilford, formed prior to 2000. Acquired at the Royal Horticultural Hall antiques fair, Westminster, London, UK. Property of a gentleman collector. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
The brooch resembles the form of aviform fibula found in the Baltic area, e.g. on Öland. The human face on a bird's body has parallels in the Sutton Hoo burial where the shield bears a bird in profile with a human mask on the hip. In the present case, the mask may represent the legend of Welund (Norse Völundr), the supernatural smith who creates a bird-form in order to escape from his captor, King Niðhad. This legend is known from Icelandic poetic references (Völundarkviða in the Verse Edda) and from Anglo-Saxon tradition.