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LOT 0321
Viking Elaborate Silver-Gilt Trefoil Brooch
9TH CENTURY A.D.
2 1/4 in. (17.3 grams, 58 mm).
The three arms with rounded terminals and domed outer face; the filigree interlace motif embellished with granulations and larger pellets, highly stylised dragonesque heads with slanted eyes and curled moustaches facing outwards from the end of each arm; reverse slightly concave, featuring a pin lug and catchplate, together with two articulate suspension loops. [No Reserve]
ProvenancePrivate collection formed in Europe in the 1980s.
Westminster collection, central London, UK.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11894-206847.
Cf. The British Museum, museum number 1810,1110.3, for a broadly similar example.
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 Gold Elf Shot Pendant
9th-10th century A.D. or earlierSold for (Inc. bp): £390
Formed as a gold cap set with polished glass gem; suspension loop above. 0.85 grams, 17 mm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
This amulet was believed to offer protection against 'Elfshot'. The attack of elves was believed responsible for mysterious suffering in men and livestock. 'Elfshot' described sudden shooting pains localised to a particular area of the body, such as in rheumatism, arthritis or muscle stitches or cramps. Elves were thought to shoot darts or arrows where such pains had no obvious external cause. Belief in elfshot persisted into the 20th century in rural areas, and as proof country folk would sometimes find small arrowheads (the remains of Neolithic or Mesolithic flints, or naturally-occurring spear-shaped stones) that were believed to be the magical weapons that caused the afflictions. Belief in elfshot began in the Pagan Germanic period. -
Viking Gilt Bronze Beast Head Finial
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Or a brooch, with remains of attachment mechanism to reverse; trace remains of gilding. 9.7 grams, 33 mm
From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s. -
Viking Bronze Urnes Style Mount Collection
11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £53
Comprising: one C-shaped mount with tendril detailing; two irregular pierced pendants with beast-head suspension lug; one lead master for making pendant moulds. 41.7 grams total, 29-46 mm
From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.
The comparatively recent finds from Lincoln, Hemel Hempstead and Grantham have considerably augmented the number of objects found in England decorated in the Urnes style, the last art style of the Vikings, and indicate that English metalworkers could produce objects of high quality. The employment of these mounts was probably linked with the fastening of puttees around the calves, the so-called wickelbander. Evidence for similar mounts as fastening pieces comes from Leyre (Danemark) and Novgorod (Ryurik Gorodische), and many other localities.
