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LOT 0059

Viking Silver, Gilt Silver, & Quartz Necklace - 151.1 g

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Northern Europe, Viking or Norse culture, ca. 800 to 1100 CE. An incredible long knitted 99% silver chain ending in two cast terminals with small stamped and repeated triangular designs. Hanging from this magnificent chain is a heavy gilt silver amulet in the form of a coiled serpent. A small quartz bead on a silver loop is suspended below the serpent. Narrow silver wires, twisted around themselves, connect the pendant to the chain. The chain is a style of knitwork done with thin silver wire that seems to have originated with the Vikings. Length of chain: 36" L (91.4 cm); size of serpent pendant: 1.35" W (3.4 cm); total weight: 151.1 grams

The serpent form may relate to the Norse myth of Jormungandr (Jormungand), the Midgard Serpent, a child of Loki and a giantess who according to legend grew so large that it was able to surround the earth and grasp its own tail, forming an ouroboros. According to legend, when it releases its tail, Ragnarök, the final battle of the gods that will result in Earth becoming completely covered in water, will begin. One of the most popular motifs in Norse art concerns the story of Thor and Jörmungandr. In classic Thor style, he sets off on a reckless fishing expedition, taking the head of an ox as his bait, and sails further out to sea than he should. With a large hook and the ox head, he catches Jörmungandr, who surfaces, poison and blood dripping from his mouth. Thor's fishing companion, the giant Hymir, quickly cuts Thor's line before he can slay the serpent with his hammer and Jörmungandr sinks beneath the waves, the threat at bay - for the moment. Multiple Viking picture stones have been found depicting this story, including one from as early as the late 8th century. This serpent pendant may recall that story.

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-private Kaliningrad (Koenigsberg) and then Latvia collection; found on the Baltic Sea coast prior to 1982

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#153994
Condition Report: Excellent condition with chain in beautiful condition. Some of the rings are slightly bent. Quartz bead has some tiny chips, nicks, and scratches on surface. Pendant has some small losses and wear to the gilt, notably on the face. Overall remarkable preservation of form and details.

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Time, Location
21 May 2020
USA, Louisville, CO
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[ translate ]

Northern Europe, Viking or Norse culture, ca. 800 to 1100 CE. An incredible long knitted 99% silver chain ending in two cast terminals with small stamped and repeated triangular designs. Hanging from this magnificent chain is a heavy gilt silver amulet in the form of a coiled serpent. A small quartz bead on a silver loop is suspended below the serpent. Narrow silver wires, twisted around themselves, connect the pendant to the chain. The chain is a style of knitwork done with thin silver wire that seems to have originated with the Vikings. Length of chain: 36" L (91.4 cm); size of serpent pendant: 1.35" W (3.4 cm); total weight: 151.1 grams

The serpent form may relate to the Norse myth of Jormungandr (Jormungand), the Midgard Serpent, a child of Loki and a giantess who according to legend grew so large that it was able to surround the earth and grasp its own tail, forming an ouroboros. According to legend, when it releases its tail, Ragnarök, the final battle of the gods that will result in Earth becoming completely covered in water, will begin. One of the most popular motifs in Norse art concerns the story of Thor and Jörmungandr. In classic Thor style, he sets off on a reckless fishing expedition, taking the head of an ox as his bait, and sails further out to sea than he should. With a large hook and the ox head, he catches Jörmungandr, who surfaces, poison and blood dripping from his mouth. Thor's fishing companion, the giant Hymir, quickly cuts Thor's line before he can slay the serpent with his hammer and Jörmungandr sinks beneath the waves, the threat at bay - for the moment. Multiple Viking picture stones have been found depicting this story, including one from as early as the late 8th century. This serpent pendant may recall that story.

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-private Kaliningrad (Koenigsberg) and then Latvia collection; found on the Baltic Sea coast prior to 1982

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#153994
Condition Report: Excellent condition with chain in beautiful condition. Some of the rings are slightly bent. Quartz bead has some tiny chips, nicks, and scratches on surface. Pendant has some small losses and wear to the gilt, notably on the face. Overall remarkable preservation of form and details.

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Estimate
Unlock
Time, Location
21 May 2020
USA, Louisville, CO
Auction House
Unlock