Northern Europe, Viking, ca. 9th to 11th century CE. A breathtakingly beautiful 24K gold pendant of a lunate form with a symmetrical composition featuring a repeated motif of granule clusters - triangular-shaped clusters of granules that stud the interior at regular intervals - surrounded by a filigree border, with an additional pair of granule clusters at the base of the integral suspension loop. Granulated gold items were the ultimate symbol of 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: .875" W x .75" H (2.2 cm x 1.9 cm); weight: 1.5 grams

Filigree and granulation are among the oldest goldsmithing techniques. The techniques involved include twisting silver or in this case 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 goldsmithing techniques.

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA Collection

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#128419

Slight age patina and minor bending commensurate with age. Generally excellent.