Northern Europe, Scandinavia, pre-Viking or early Viking period (often called Migration period or Germanic Iron Age), ca. 6th to 7th century CE. A gorgeous and rare bracteate pendant, made from 97% silver. The surface is decorated with granulated and filigreed motifs. The centerpiece is comprised of a granule encircled by a ring of beaded filigree which is in turn surrounded by a triangular border comprised of filigreed bands with spiraled termini and a granule marking each corner. This is surrounded by more granules encircled by filigree and additional granulated and filigreed borders. The top has a folded-over loop, also decorated with filigreed ornament. A modern cord is threaded through to make the piece wearable as a necklace. Pendants like this one were made to be worn around the neck as a type of amulet or sewn onto clothing, and were frequently made of melted down coinage traded north from the Mediterranean. Size: 1.3" W x 1.8" H (3.3 cm x 4.6 cm); silver is 97%; total weight: 5.7 grams
Filigree and granulation are among the oldest metalsmithing techniques. The techniques involved include twisting precious metal wires and soldering incredibly tiny beads comprised of the same precious metal onto the surface of the piece of jewelry. This very complicated technique requires painstaking attention to detail that relatively few jewelers have ever mastered. Ancient civilizations such as the Mesopotamians, Greeks, and Etruscans developed the methodology; filigreed and granulated jewelry continued to be popular in the Roman empire, and was also sought after by the Slavs, Anglo-Saxons, and Vikings, remaining popular throughout the Middle Ages. Interestingly, modern jewelers still utilize these ancient techniques.
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
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#155491
Condition
Slight bending to form but overall in excellent condition.