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LOT 0323
Viking Silver-Gilt Seated Freyja Mount
CIRCA 9TH-10TH CENTURY A.D.
1 3/4 in. (30.6 grams, 46 mm).
A parcel-gilt plaque pendant with facing seated figure, probably the goddess Freyja, modelled in the half-round; the hands raised to grip lateral ribbed strands of hair, the garment formed as two crossed bands on the chest, the knees prominent and feet placed together; emerging from each strand of hair, a feline with curled tail, ribbed body, foreleg curled over the neck, notched fingers and triangular face with lappet and snubbed snout; loop above the head, three holes to the edges. [No Reserve]
ProvenancePrivate collection formed in Europe in the 1980s.
Westminster collection, central London, UK.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13159-248791.
Cf. female figurines found in Denmark (Hårby, Revninge, Tissø) and figures from St. Manchan's shrine in Ireland in Wilson, D.M. and Klindt-Jensen, O. Viking Art, New York, 1966, plate LXXVIII, item (a).
FootnotesThe figure represents a seated female accompanied by two cats. In the Icelandic poem Gylfaginning (The Deceiving of Gylfi), Freyja is said to be seated in her chariot drawn by two cats. Her hall in heaven is called Sessrumnir, meaning 'with room for many seats'. She is also associated with a high seat from which prophecy is made, similar to that of Odin.
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 Silver-Gilt Bronze Boar-Headed Brooch
Circa 9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £5,460
Hollow-formed with an applied backplate; the heavily decorated body with upstanding ears and a clubbed end to the muzzle; a narrow median raised band separating the face into two panels, each decorated with interlaced ornament in low relief depicting serpents locked in combat, their bodies dramatically entwined; the rear panel with four 'forearm and hand' motifs surrounding a central lozenge with pellet; rectangular guilloche to the lower borders, muzzle-band, rear panel and median upper band; Jellinge Style scrollwork to the outer and upper faces of the conical 'ears'; a hinged pin to the underside with curved catch, applied plate to the underside with two bands of punched lozenge decoration; mounted on a custom-made stand. 140 grams, 65 mm (220 grams total, 11 cm including stand)
Private collection, New York, USA. with Artemis Gallery, Colorado, USA, 15 February 2018, no.58. Private American collection, New York, USA. TimeLine Auctions, 5 March 2024, no.391. Private collection, London. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13146-248323.
Box-shaped hollow animal-head brooches originated on the island of Gotland, Sweden, although they have been found in other parts of the Viking world. They were made to be worn in pairs, high on the chest of women's 'hangerok' apron-dresses with chains and swags of beads suspended between them. They are found in women's burials alongside utility items such as a knife or tweezers, and formed part of the costume of females from prosperous families. This example shows exceptionally fine decoration and would have been a treasured item, denoting the wealth and status of the family of the woman who wore it. -
Viking Artefact Collection
11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £39
Including a strap end, harness mounts and other items. 37.6 grams total, 13-49 mm
Acquired on the UK art market. Private collection, Kent, UK. -
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Viking Silver Freyr and Freyja Casket Mount
9th-10th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,690
Rectangular with beaded border and pin-hole to each corner; low-relief scene of a male standing left wearing an open-fronted coat extending his arms towards an opposed female in floor-length robe, holding a hooked staff and with her long hair draped to her rear. 2.39 grams, 22 mm
Ex Paul Revell, circa 1985. From a private UK collection, 1980s onwards.
