Viking Age Silver Bracelet with Pendants

Viking Age Silver Bracelet with Pendants

Circa 10th-12th century A.D. With graduated silver wire coils to the shank, collection of free-running cosmetic grooming pendants comprising: pelta-shaped plaque, quadrant-shaped plaque, ear scoop, miniature hammer, tweezers. Cf. Arbman, H. Birka I: Die Gräber, Uppsala, 1940, pls.104-105, for similar bracelets with pendants; Fuglesang, S.H., ‘Viking and medieval amulets in Scandinavia’ in Fornvännen, Journal of Swedish Antiquarian research 1989, no. 84, pp.15-27, fig.2. 28.75 grams total, bracelet 88.90 mm wide (3 1/2 in.).

Formerly acquired in the late 1950s. From the family collection of a South East London collector.

Miniature hammers occur in pre-Viking times both in Scandinavia and in England, but their number increased markedly in Viking Scandinavia. They are known in iron, bronze, occasionally amber, and, from the 10th century onward, silver. They are predominantly found in women's graves, while most of the silver examples come from hoards of the late 10th and 11th centuries. [No Reserve]