Viking Period Silver Hammer Pendant

A bronze female garniture comprising: two tortoise brooches each with pin-bar and catch to the reverse, one with remains of fabric; two D-shaped openwork chatelaines with scroll detailing and loops to the lower edge; chains of varying length supporting utensils including a small hone or whetstone, a crotal bell, a firesteel formed as a steel arc in a bronze frame with horse-head finials, a cosmetic scoop, an equal-arm brooch, a second chatelain with chains and bell-shaped pendants, a model knife-sheath, a latch-lifter with pierced-disc finial, another crotal bell; the two groups linked by a longer chain of larger links. 571 grams total, 8.2-33.5 cm



Acquired 1971-1972. From the collection of the vendor's father. Property of a London, UK, collector. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11648-198857.

A Moravian sub-triangular copper-alloy patrix die displaying a stylised standing figure to the upper face, in orans 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.

A coiled silver ring comprising five slender tiers and tapering terminals, the central three coils plain, the upper and lower most tiers decorated with punched rectangles within expanded elliptical panels. 5.25 grams, 21.85 mm overall, 17.25 mm internal diameter (approximate size British M 1/2, USA 6 1/4, Europe 13.09, Japan 12)



Acquired in the late 1990s-2000. Property of an East London gentleman.