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Viking

Fans of Viking jewelry gird for action in Jasper52 sale Sept. 16

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf
Viking
Viking warrior’s heart ring, circa 900-1050, heart bezel with incised floral design, size 10 1/2. Estimate: $250-$275. Jasper52 image

 

NEW YORK – Ninety lots of Viking and medieval jewelry, enough to fill a small treasure chest, will be sold in an online auction conducted by Jasper52 on Saturday, Sept. 16. Absentee and Internet live bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.

Rings and pendants once worn by Viking warriors abound in the auction. Leading the charge is a Viking warrior’s ring having heart bezel decorated with an incised floral design (above). For Vikings the heart stood for bravery, fortitude, loyalty, integrity – all attributes of a warrior. The warrior’s heart ring defines the very essence of his place in society and the spiritual world. The large ring in the auction carries and estimate of $250-$275.

Also popular in Viking culture was the coil ring (below). The large example in Saturday’s auction dates to A.D. 850-1050.

 

Viking
Viking coil ring, circa 850-1050, size 12. Estimate $250-$280. Jasper52 image

 

Another classic form in the sale is an ancient Viking lunar pendant, circa A.D. 850-950. Exhibiting fine patina, the crescent-shape pendant is topped with spheres representing celestial bodies. The constellations signified mystery and power to Vikings, who were expert navigators. The moon was personified as Mani, brother to Sol, the Sun, and is abundantly represented in Norse literature. Lunar pendants were worn as pectorals as well as suspended from belts, other clothing and horse harnesses.

 

Viking
Ancient Viking lunar pendant, circa 850-950, nearly 1 in. wide. Estimate: $100-$200. Jasper52 image

 

Dolphins were both feared and revered by Romans, and are highly visible in Roman mythology. A gilt bronze dolphin pendant dating to the second century is expected to sell for more than $600.

 

Viking
Roman dolphin pendant, second century, gilt bronze, 2 1/8 in length. Estimate: $600-$675. Jasper52 image

 

A silvered bronze Jerusalem Cross pendant worn by a Crusader nearly 1,000 years ago is another star lot in the auction. The nearly 1-inch round pendant depicts five crosses in one, representing the five wounds of Christ. The form is said to have originated with Godfrey of Bouillon, a Frankish knight of the First Crusade.

 

Viking
Crusader’s cross pendant, silvered bronze, 11th-13th centuries, just under an inch in diameter. Estimate: $310-$350. Jasper52 image.

 

Another fine medieval French pendant measures 1 1/8 inches in diameter and is flanked by foliage forms with a connecting central band detailed with a fine circle motif.

 

Viking
Medieval French pendant, 13th-15th centuries, gilt bronze, 1 1/8 in. diameter. Estimate: $210-$240. Jasper52 image

 

The auction will begin Saturday, Sept. 16, at 1 p.m. Eastern.

 

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