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LOT 1736
Viking Bronze Fire Steel with Dragons
CIRCA 10TH CENTURY A.D.
2 1/4 in. (37.6 grams, 57 mm).
With bronze handle formed as two opposing dragons, each biting its own tail forming the loops; iron striker below. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.
LiteratureCf. Arbman, H., Birka I: Die Gräber, Uppsala, 1940, pl.144, item 2.
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 Bronze Fire Steel with Dragons
Circa 10th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £124
With bronze handle formed as two opposing dragons, each biting its own tail forming the loops; iron striker below. 37.6 grams, 57 mm
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s. -
Large Viking Silver Interlaced Chain with Amuletic Rock Crystal Pendant
10th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £7,475
Comprising: openwork trichinopoly chain with sleeve terminals each with a loop and bar closure; spherical rock crystal pendant with silver wire cage and mounting cap. 367 grams, 120 cm
Private collection, Europe, mid-1990s. Private collection, UK. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12985-246022. -
Large Pre-Viking Gold Bracteate Medallion with Interlaced Snakes
5th-6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £5,720
Executed using the repoussé technique, depicting interlaced snakes or possibly Jörmungandr, the world serpent; applied suspension loop with repoussé chevrons and pellets, faux ropework border around the whole. 13.04 grams, 61 mm
From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11729-200423.
The bracteate belongs to the main type D, showing an image of tetramorphic monsters. Probably here the representation refers to Jörmungandr, the serpent of Midgard, son of Loki and killer of Thor, protagonist of Ragnarok - the downfall of the gods. The art of the bracteate medallions is one of the few contemporary sources for the pre-Christian religion of the Nordic countries. It demonstrates that ancient Germanic mythology, although known from later texts, was built on a tradition dating back to at least the 5th-6th centuries A.D. The function of these medallions was linked to the social position of the wearer in Germanic society.
