Viking Silver Axe Pendant

Miniature drum-shaped vessel covered in a filigree meander pattern with granules and a strap handle. 1.60 grams, 12 mm



Private collection formed in Europe in the 1980s. Westminster collection, central London, UK.

Pendants in the form of miniature buckets have been found in a number of pagan Anglo-Saxon and Viking contexts and are generally made of bronze or iron, with gold examples being rare; three gold examples were found with the hoard from Hoen, Norway. Bronze bucket amulets have been found at Driffield in Yorkshire, and Vimose bog in Denmark, among other places. In form they represent wooden buckets bound with bronze or iron bands which have been found in Anglo-Saxon and Viking graves and are believed to have held mead or ale and were used to replenish the cups from which warriors drank. As amulets they probably represent the ecstatic power of alcoholic drink and the role of women as the dispensers of these precious beverages.

Openwork unifacial 'winged horse' format (Woods's Type 3B) with beaked head in profile on a ribbed neck, pierced hindleg beneath and tapering wing above; the head extending to a reverse flange. 6.74 grams, 38 mm



Found by Robin Sutton, UK. Property of a Lancashire, UK, collector. Accompanied by a copy of the Searcher Magazine article where it was published in 2006.

The item formed the reinforced finial to a leather chape for a knife. Its design suggests an Anglo-Scandinavian context, probably 11th century and likely linked to the increased Scandinavian contacts with Britain during the reign of Cnut (1016-35).

Discoid type with hollow boss to centre, ropework border enclosing scrolled filigree and granulation ornament. 4.05 grams, 35 mm



Private collection formed in Europe in the 1980s. Westminster collection, central London, UK.