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LOT 1255
Viking Period Silver Axe Pendant Group
8TH-10TH CENTURY A.D.
1 1/4 in. (8.93 grams total, 32-34 mm).
A trio of silver axehead pendants of different forms, each suspended on a free-running silver ring with overlapping and coiled arms; two decorated with punched annulets to one face, a third with punched triangles populated with single pellets. [3]
ProvenanceAcquired in the late 1990s-2000.
Property of an East London gentleman.
Cf. Arbman, H., Birka I: Die Gräber, Uppsala, 1940, pl.104(5).
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 Bracelet Group
Circa 8th-10th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £156
A group of two flat-section copper-alloy penannular bracelets, one decorated with scallops around the upper and lower edge with annulet fill; one decorated with a medial wavy line between plain bands, loop terminals with ring to both. 35 grams total, 57-59 mm
Early 1990s London collection. Acquired on the UK art market. From a private collection, Lancashire, UK. -
Viking Period Plaited Bracelet
8th-10th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
A penannular copper-alloy bracelet composed of a plaited body with bulbous terminals. 23.5 grams, 73 mm
Acquired in the late 1990s-2000. Property of an East London gentleman. -
Viking Age Patrix Die with Figure
Circa 9th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £286
A Moravian sub-triangular copper-alloy patrix die displaying a stylised standing figure to the upper face, inorans pose, ring-and-dot and other symbols in the field. 41.5 grams, 43 mm
Acquired before 2000. From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK.
The Great Moravian Empire, Christianised by East Frankish missionaries and later experienced significant cultural development under King Rastislav, with the arrival of the mission of Saints Cyril and Methodius in 863 A.D., developed its own artistic style under the influence of Carolingian Empire and Eastern Roman Empire. The images of praying saints, similar to our figure, are evident on belt plate decorations, where the image of the suppliant with open hands and long talaris tunica is often repeated. If the two stylised figures are interpreted as lions, the patrix die could possibly represent the Biblical story of Daniel in the lion’s cave.
