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LOT 1527
Viking Silver Filigree Pendant with Scrolled Cross
10TH CENTURY A.D.
1 1/4 in. (2.6 grams, 32 mm).
Within a filigree border; suspension loop above. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.
LiteratureCf. Roesdahl, E., Wilson D.M., From Viking to Crusader: The Scandinavians and Europe 800 to 1200 (22nd Council of Europe Exhibition), Copenhagen, 1992, for a similar pendant in the famous great Gnezdovo hoard, p.20.
FootnotesIn the Gnezdovo Hoard, 46 beads of sheet silver, most with granulation of Slav character, others with filigree, were part of one of the greatest Viking treasure found in the East. The jewellery, most of Scandinavian or Slav character, show the great mix of style and decoration which ornamented the dress and the garments of the Vikings in the East.
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Carolingian Bronze Belt End with Cabochon
8th-9th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £247
Comprising a tongue-shaped body divided into geometric cells, each with interlace motifs, central polished garnet cabochon, possibly replaced; remains of gilding; remains of mounting lug. 19.9 grams, 46 mm
From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s. -
Viking Age Silver-Gilt Cross Pendant with Head of a Beast
11th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,170
In Romanesque style, cruciform with openwork cross at centre, three oval terminals and a fourth modelled as a hound's head, the beast's mouth forming the suspension loop. 5.4 grams, 40 mm
From the family collection of a Hertfordshire, UK, gentleman since the 1970s. with Bonhams, London, Sale 17880, 7 December 2010, lot 6. Accompanied by a copy of the online Bonhams catalogue page, and the original lot ticket.
The original function of this rare and unusual pendant remains elusive. The use of expensive materials and the fine and detailed casting indicate that it would have been a highly prized object. The fusion of Christian and pagan religious motifs is typical of Iceland where the worship of the old gods continued into the 11th century. The Christian cross was used as a symbol of the new faith but the pendant also includes elements of pre-Christian ideas. Comparable objects appeared in an exhibition of English Romanesque Art 1066-1200, held at the Hayward Gallery, London, 5 April - 8 July 1984. The catalogue for this exhibition illustrates numerous small metal and gilded articles with similar grotesque terminals- No. 254 illustrated a late 12th century finial from a shrine, which is in the Victoria and Albert Museum (M.25 1962). -
Viking Bronze Bird Brooch with Cross
10th century A.D.Estimate: £200 - 300 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £100
The bird in profile with equal-arm cross on its back, linear detail to the wing and tail, lentoid eye, loop below the chest; loop to the reverse. 10.06 grams, 31 mm
Found near Winteringham, Humberside, UK.
