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LOT 1503
Viking Silver Pin Finial and Medieval Bronze Animal Head
9TH-14TH CENTURY A.D.
3/4 in. (6.28 grams total, 20-21 mm).
The pin finial formed with a round-section stem and facetted head, each of four faces displaying a punched ring-and-dot motif; a zoomorphic strap end terminal, formed as a beast in relief, possibly Romanesque. [2, No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom an old English collection formed before 2000.
Acquired on the UK art market.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 1503
Viking Silver Pin Finial and Medieval Bronze Animal Head
Sold for (Inc. bp): £20
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Large Viking Age Openwork Bronze Pendant
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £260
Of semi-circular form with geometric design; occluded suspension loop. 56 grams, 11 cm
From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s. -
Viking Iron Bearded Axehead
10th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £247
The socket with a sub-triangular cross-section, bearded cheek and convex cutting edge. 833 grams, 17 cm
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s. -
Viking Age Bronze Contorted Gripping Beast Pendant
Late 10th-early 11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £390
Scandinavian pendant of Norelund type with integral suspension loop; the openwork plaque with three-band border and four panels, internal stylised zoomorph with hatched panel to the hip, gripping hands to the body and border, facing mask below the loop. 6.22 grams, 34 mm
Acquired on the German art market before 2000. From an old Munich collection.
There is a class of discoid pendants with banded borders and contorted figures found in the hinterland of the Baltic region, associated with the influence of Scandinavian settlers. The design of these items recalls specific elements of Scandinavian art - for example, the 'gripping hands' motif is a feature of the Oseberg Style named after the famous Norwegian ship-burial. Oseberg Style is associated with the beginnings of the Viking age, and was current in the 9th century when Scandinavian settlers began to establish centres of trade and political control in the area of the rivers Dnieper and Volga. The motif has been interpreted as a horse and linked with various legends and mythic figures, including Sigurð's fight with the dragon Fafnir.
