Northern Europe, Scandinavia, Viking or Norse culture, ca. 9th to 10th century CE. A gorgeous and rare bracteate pendant, made from 98% silver. The surface is decorated with granulated and filigreed motifs. At the center are three double spiral motifs arranged around a central triangle and adorned by granules. This is surrounded by a filigreed border of nine double spiral motifs also dotted with granules. The top has a folded-over loop that is 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. Size: 1.375" L x 1.06" W (3.5 cm x 2.7 cm); cord measures 21.5" L (54.6 cm); quality of silver: 98%; weight of pendant: 5.8 grams.
Filigree and granulation are among the oldest goldsmithing techniques. The techniques involved include twisting silver 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. In fact, modern jewelers still utilize these ancient goldsmithing techniques.
Many Vikings did not have a standard minted currency available to them; instead they kept their wealth in the form of jewelry made from precious metals. Scholars believe that a popular practice was to amass a hoard of these objects and then deposit them, often in water sources like rivers.
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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#160373
Condition
In overall excellent condition with well preserved granulation and nice patina. Strung in modern times on a modern cord and wearable.