Lot 33
Northern Europe, Scandinavia, Viking or Norse culture, ca. 10th to early 12th century CE. A beautiful silver pendant in the form an a medallion of a feline, depicted in an intricate arrangement intertwining filigree and petite silver granules. Recumbent yet dynamically posed, the fierce animal's body faces right as it turns its head left, a sinuous tongue protruding from the open mouth as a coiled tail rises from the posterior. All is surrounded by a raised silver wire border with a wide suspension loop at the top, separated from the tondo via a row of spherical granules. Size: 1.2" L x 1" W (3 cm x 2.5 cm); silver quality: 93.77%; weight: 3.6 grams
Lions hold a unique place in Viking art and culture, symbolizing power, courage, and authority, despite being an animal not native to the Scandinavian region. The Vikings encountered lion imagery through their interactions with the cultures of Europe, the Byzantine Empire, and the Islamic world, where lions were often associated with kingship and divine strength. This influence is evident in Viking art, particularly in metalwork, carvings, and jewelry, where stylized depictions of lions appear as part of intricate patterns or as guardians in mythical scenes. These representations highlight the Vikings' appreciation for the lion's symbolism, which they integrated into their own expressions of status and identity. The lion's inclusion in Viking iconography reflects the dynamic cultural exchanges facilitated by Viking trade, exploration, and conquest, demonstrating their openness to adopting and reinterpreting powerful motifs from the broader medieval world.
Filigree and granulation are among the oldest metalsmithing techniques. The techniques involved include twisting gold or 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 techniques.
Provenance: private London, UK collection; ex-private UK collection, acquired on the German art market prior to 2000
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#190693
- Condition: Small indentation to lower right and some light bending as well as minor nicks commensurate with age. Otherwise, intact, wearable, and in overall very good condition with nice preservation of detail. Light patina to some areas.
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