Northern Europe, Denmark, Viking/Norse culture, ca. 9th century CE. A stunning 98% silver turtle brooch delineated in the Jellinge (also Jelling) style with four intertwining serpentine motifs embellishing the surface. Some refer to the motif as "Gripping Beasts" because of the way the creatures seem to grasp their bodies as well as the surroundings. In addition to this iconography, nine raised bosses adorn the form, eight of which are equidistantly placed around the periphery and one marking the center. Furthermore, pyramidal groups of circular motifs also embellish the periphery. On the verso is a pin once used to attach the brooch to clothing. Silver quality: 98%; Weight: 97 grams. Size: 4" L x 2.75" W x 1.2" H (10.2 cm x 7 cm x 3 cm)

The Jellinge style is named after Jelling, Denmark, where a silver cup bearing interlaced, curving animals was found in the royal burial chamber of King Gorm the Old, the first known king of Denmark. Although the style is designed to look like filigree work, it is actually cast. The Jelling style features S-shaped animals or mythological beasts whose bodies loop in and around one another, with sinuous tendrils snaking off their limbs and tongues.

Lucite stand in photo not included.

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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#161422

Decorated surface is excellent with well-preserved motifs, nice luster, and areas of deposits. Oxidation on verso. Pin and hook are present but both have bent a bit and pin is frozen.