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LOT 1264
Viking Period Silver Ring and Bird Pendant Group
8TH-10TH CENTURY A.D.
7/8 - 2 1/8 in. (7.51 grams total, 22-53 mm).
A trio of silver jewellery items comprising: two slender annular rings with overlapping terminals and coiled collars; a free-running pendant in the form of a stylised bird with eye and body detailing, three suspension loops and remaining chain links below. [3]
ProvenanceAcquired in the late 1990s-2000.
Property of an East London gentleman.
Cf. Arbman, H., Birka I: Die Gräber, Uppsala, 1940, pl.108; pl.100 (1).
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 Silver Axe Amulet
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £111
A silver amulet formed as a twibill double-bladed axehead. 2.2 grams, 18 mm
Acquired in the late 1990s-2000. Property of an East London gentleman. -
Viking Age Twisted Torc with Looped Terminals
Circa 8th-10th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £182
A copper-alloy torc with a tapering round-section body composed of decoratively twisted bars, terminals forming loops and coiled collars. 63 grams, 13 cm wide
Early 1990s London collection. Acquired on the UK art market. From a private collection, Lancashire, UK. -
Viking Age Gold Elf Shot Pendant
9th-12th century A.D. or earlierSold for (Inc. bp): £260
A gold 'elf shot' pendant with arch-shaped body and collared suspension loop, set with a polished garnet or amethyst stone. 1.31 grams, 16 mm high
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.
