Northern Europe, Scandinavia, Viking or Norse culture, ca. 10th to early 12th century CE. A beautiful discoid pendant formed from 92.8% silver depicting an abstract zoomorphic creature, perhaps a deer or a wolf. The creature turns its head over its back with its legs tucked beneath its relatively large body, and the interior peripheries are lined with dozens of applied silver spheres. Above is an attached suspension loop that enabled this pendant to be worn as a form of displayed currency or buried with a deceased individual. his depiction symbolized wealth and status in Europe at this time, and Viking examples often come from the eastern areas that they colonized and traded with modern day western Russia and eastern Europe. They were likely inspired by the fine jewelry of the Byzantine world. Size: 1.1" W x 1.3" H (2.8 cm x 3.3 cm); silver quality: 92.8%; weight: 5.7 grams
Provenance: private London, UK collection; ex-private collection, acquired from an Austrian antique fair in the 1980s
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#191757
Condition
Some minor surface wear and light patina as shown, both commensurate with age. Otherwise, intact, excellent, and wearable with impressively preserved detail.