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]

Private 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).

The 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.