Details

LOT 0380

Viking Gilt Gripping Freya Mount

9TH-10TH CENTURY AD

1 3/4" (35 grams, 46mm).

A parcel-gilt silver plaque pendant with facing seated figure, probably the goddess Freya, modelled in the half-round; the hands raised to grip lateral ribbed strands of hair, the garment formed as two crossed bands on the chest, the knees prominent and feet placed together; emerging from each strand of hair a feline with curled tail, ribbed body, foreleg curled over the neck, notched fingers and triangular face with lappet and snubbed snout; loop above the head, three holes to the edges.

Provenance

Property of a German gentleman; acquired on the European art market in the 1990s. Accompanied by a positive X-Ray Fluorescence metal analysis certificate.

Published

Accompanied by an Art Loss Register certificate.

Footnotes

The figure represents a seated female accompanied by two cats. In the Icelandic poem Gylfaginning (The Deceiving of Gylfi) Freya is said to be seated in her chariot drawn by two cats. Her hall in heaven is called Sessrumnir meaning 'with room for many seats'. She is also associated with a high-seat from which prophecy is made, similar to that of Odin.

CONDITION