VIKING MEDALLION MADE IN GRANULATION WITH FAFNIR

Ca. AD 800 - 1100 A Viking silver pendant of circular form with a griffin and symmetrical geometric composition featuring a repeated motif of granulated clusters. Foliate-shaped clusters of granules that stud the interior at regular intervals - surrounded by a filigree border, with additional granule clusters at the base of the integral suspension loop. This depiction symbolised 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: 35mm x 30mm; Weight: 6.5g
Provenance: Property of a London gallery; previously acquired at the art market in Vienna; formerly in an Austrian collection formed prior to 2000. This item has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter.
This piece is accompanied by a historical report from Alessandro Neri, an international Cultural Heritage expert based in Florence, Italy.
500
Estimate: GBP 750 - 1500