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LOT 0344
Viking Silver Buckle with Moustachioed Face
CIRCA 8TH-9TH CENTURY A.D.
3 in. (35.13 grams, 75.36 mm).
With ovoid loop and integral buckle-plate, coiled wire tongue; loop with segmented frame, and bear-head motif to forward edge; plate with narrow neck developing to a male mask with broad flaring moustache, snub nose and lentoid eyes; fixing lugs to reverse. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.
LiteratureCf. Arbman, H., Birka I: Die Gräber, Uppsala, 1940, plate 86 (7, 8), for type.
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 Bronze Ring Brooch with Zoomorphic Terminals
Circa 9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £247
With a penannular slender body and striated terminals with beast-head finials. 1.84 grams, 24.13 mm
From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s. -
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Scandinavian Viking Age Silver Inlaid Iron Hilt Guard
Circa 10th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £546
Hollow-formed with a deep curved profile; rectangular slot in the upper face for the tang; bands of applied silver ropework ornament on a sheet-silver field. 70 grams, 72 mm
Private collection formed in Europe in the 1980s. Westminster collection, central London, UK.
The guard is too narrow to have been used on a sword, but it may have been part of the hilt furniture of a high-status seax or knife. The form is approximately consistent with Petersen's Type Z of late-10th century date. -
Pre-Viking Age Bronze Shaman Pendant
Circa 6th-8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,340
Flat in section with spread wings and talons to the lower body, feather detailing to tail and wings; male mask above, flanked by profile bird-heads at the pinions; loop to reverse; Samoyed type. 18.58 grams, 66.13 mm
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13290-253202.
The pendant likely represents the soul of the shaman in bird form on a spirit journey.
