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Lot 38
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9th C. Viking Silver Thor's Hammer (Mjolnir)
9th C. Viking Silver Thor's Hammer (Mjolnir)
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Description:

Northern Europe, Scandinavia, Viking or Norse culture, ca. 9th to 11th century CE. A lovely pendant of Mjolnir, Thor's legendary hammer, that is cast from 93.15% silver. The front of the double-sided axe head features a pair of petite triangular impressions, each with a series of 3 raised nodules within, and the tubular handle extends upwards until terminating in a perforated suspension handle. The hammer pendant dangles from a twisted Viking silver ring that acts as a decorative suspension loop. Size (hammer): 0.81" W x 0.97" H (2.1 cm x 2.5 cm); (w/ ring): 1.4" H (3.6 cm); silver quality: 93.15; weight: 7.2 grams; (necklace cord): 22" L (55.9 cm)

Small Thor's hammers were worn as religious amulets throughout the Viking era, usually made of silver and usually hung on silver chains. They have been found in silver hoards throughout the areas of Viking influence in the North Atlantic and Scandinavia. Some even made it to the Christian era - there is a famous example of a Thor's hammer amulet from Fossi, Iceland, that has been turned into a cross. Some scholars believe that Thor's hammers were made to be worn suspended from brooches, and most of those we know from graves in Scandinavia belonged to women. However, a silver example was found in a male burial at Repton, in northern England, alongside two beads and located at the neck - so people of both sexes did wear them, and they were not always worn on brooches either.

Provenance: private Colorado, USA collection; private Osborn collection, acquired through European art markets between the 1970s and 1990s

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#181132

  • Condition: Wearable as shown and constructed in modern times. Hammer and ring and ancient; necklace cord is modern. Minor abrasions to hammer and ring, otherwise intact and excellent. Great patina throughout.

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September 14, 2023 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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