VIKING SILVER FILIGREE PENDANT

Ca. 900-1000 AD. Viking. A stunning silver filigree pendant in a woven, abstract form with a stylised face at the top. Granulated silver forms the symmetrical swirls and loops inside the pendant's body, as well as the face and top of the head. The top of the head is a long, hollow cylindrical loop for suspension. The back of the pendant is undecorated. Excellent condition. The style of this pendant closely resembles that of the famous silver Thor's Hammer found at Skane, Sweden, and is in the Borre style, which often features human-like masks on animal bodies. This style was widespread, with examples found from Iceland to Russia. The vast reach of the style is a testament to the shared culture of the geographically disparate Viking world, which included a complex mythology populated by gods and goddesses. Pendants like this item and amulets occupied a special place among the Viking jewellery. They were worn mostly as amulets for protection against evil spirit and were customary for everybody: men, women and even children. To find out more about the Vikings and their art, see Graham-Campbell, J. (2013). Viking Art. London: Thames and Hudson Ltd. Size: L:43mm / W:38mm ; 8g. Provenance: Property of a European collector, formerly acquired on EU market from G. C. in 2018; formerly from EU collection formed in the 1980s.