Northern Europe, Viking, ca. 9th to 10th century CE. A gorgeous and rare bracteate pendant, made from 97.83% pure silver. The entire surface is decorated with filigreed motifs of rope-patterned curls and spirals. Above the circular face is a folded-over loop, also decorated with filigreed ornament and two granules. Pendants like this example were worn around the neck or sewn onto clothing as a type of amulet for protection or good fortune. Silver quality: 97.83% silver Size: 1" W x 1.25" H (2.5 cm x 3.2 cm); total weight: 2.7 grams
Filigree and granulation are among the oldest goldsmithing techniques. The techniques involved include twisting silver or gold 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 metalsmithing 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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#156461
Condition
Excellent. Very very slight bending to form near loop.