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LOT 0396
Viking White Metal Filigree Crucifix Pendant
8TH-12TH CENTURY AD
1 1/4 in. (9.32 grams, 31 mm).
Depicting Christ bound by his wrists to the cross, wearing trousers; granulation to the body indicates a patterned shirt; beaded border around the perimeter of the cross; this lot bears close parallels with the ‘Birka Crucifix’ held by the Swedish History Museum but is not made from silver.
ProvenanceAcquired on the London art market in the 2000s.
LiteratureSee The Swedish History Museum, Inventarienummer: 34000; Undernummer: Bj 660; SHM Föremålsidentitet: 108914, for the Birka Crucifix; see Graham-Campbell, J., Viking Art, Thames and Hudson, London, 2013, for another image of the Birka Crucifix and discussion.
FootnotesThe Birka Crucifix pendant, unearthed from Birka grave 660 in Uppland, Sweden, is thought to be the oldest representation of Christ in the Nordic world and bears many similarities to this lot. The Swedish History Museum’s example was excavated from the grave of a wealthy female Christian convert; it is a filigree figure of Christ bound to the cross by his wrists, wearing trousers; this lot is a lower-relief white metal filigree crucifix with integral suspension loop, featuring a representation of head and face executed in the same shape and style as that of the Birka Crucifix figure.
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
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LOT 0396
Viking White Metal Filigree Crucifix Pendant
Estimate £1,200 - 1,700€1,390 - 1,970 (for guidance only)$1,620 - 2,300 (for guidance only)
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Viking Age Bronze Cross Pendant
Circa 10th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £390
Flat-section cruciform plaque with tong-and-dot detailing to obverse, barrel-shaped Byzantine-style suspension loop. 27.2 grams, 73 mm
Acquired on the London art market in the late 1980s-1990s. From the family collection of an East London, UK, gentleman. -
Viking Age Silver 'Hoard' Group
Circa 10th-12th century A.D.Estimate: £800 - 1,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £400
Comprising: two dome-headed dress pins; three pieces of hack-silver ingot; five miniature axeheads; a mitre-shaped finger ring; and other items. 42.8 grams total, 9-53 mm
Acquired on the London art market in the late 1980s-1990s. From the family collection of an East London, UK, gentleman. -
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Viking Age Bronze Sword Scabbard Chape Collection
10th-12th century A.D.Estimate: £500 - 700 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £275
Comprising: a small and narrow type (Paulsen's Gruppe I 2, Untergruppe d) with an openwork panel to each face filled by a cross-shaped motif with curved cross-bar, and a dentilled upper edge to the mouth; a tongue-shaped type (Paulsen's Gruppe I 1) with an openwork centre and Ringerike style bird formed with looped bands, pellets to the pinions, a triangular in plan head joined to the inner faces of the ropework border forming the upper edge of the chape, with a wolf's head at the apex and stepped knop finial (apex and lower end of the chape damaged); two of the same type (Gruppe I 1) with a pair of scrolls in the central void and a 'knot' to the apex', one with ropework detailing and a wolf's head; a broad D-shaped plaque with a plain reverse plate riveted in place, guilloche band to the outer edge and interlaced vines to the centre. 118 grams total, 46-75 mm
From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.
The chape with the dentilled upper edge bears a cross motif on which only the curvature of the cross-piece indicates its origin in the raven/eagle figure found more commonly on this type; as its ornament has developed a long way from its original form, it should be dated to the 11 or 12th century. The D-shaped plaque with the plain reverse is not in Paulsen's typology but appears to be derived from the smaller types in his Gruppe VII.
