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LOT 2063
Viking Iron Broad Axehead
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
6 1/8 in. (670 grams, 15.5 cm).
With rectangular spurs above and below the curved socket, a medium-broad flaring triangular-section blade extending to a curved edge; remains of the original wooden shaft inside the socket. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.
LiteratureCf. Williams, G., Pentz, P. & Wemhoff, M., Vikings Life and Legend, London, 2014, item 25, p.90, a similar axe from a male burial in Hellvi (Gotland, grave 222B).
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 Gilt Bronze Military Horse Harness Pendant Set
Circa 10th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,900
Comprising fourteen openwork pendants, each a piriform openwork plaque with pelleted bands and hinged hollow bulb finial, hinged at upper edge to a trefoil plate with mounting pins to reverse. 194 grams total, 71.11-71.89 mm
From the private family collection of a lady, UK; acquired in Germany mid 20th century. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13270-253197.
Such horse harness pendants were common to the culture of the Alan, Kabarian and Hungaro-Magyar warriors, and also in use among the Eastern Viking (Rus) warriors. -
Viking Age Silver Duck Foot Pendant
Circa 9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
Silver ovoid pendant with incised duck-foot detailing, mounted on a wire suspension ring. 1.63 grams, 31 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
Viking Silver-Gilt Elfshot Pendant with Stone Arrowhead
9th-11th century A.D. and earlierSold for (Inc. bp): £845
Comprising a silver sleeve with a knapped flint arrowhead, a circular cell set with a clear glass cabochon above. 3.46 grams, 44.84 mm
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.
This amulet was believed to offer protection against 'Elfshot'. The attack of elves was believed responsible for mysterious suffering in men and livestock: 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.
