Description
Heading: Viking Gold Bracteate
Material: Viking Gold
Period: Early medieval/Viking eras
Date: 9th-11th century AD
Origin: Northern Europe
Condition: VF. clear impressions and nice colour. edge is a little ragged and any suspension loop that has become detached and lost to history.
Description: An exquisite sheet gold disc decorated with concentric rings of repousse pellets and central boss. resembling a small shield.
Size and Weight: 17mm. 0.33g
Features and Provenance: Ex TimeLine. Acquired in the 1980’s by the Abelita family as part of their extensive collection.
The term bracteate is derived from the Latin Bractea meaning ‘thin sheet of metal.’ The Scandinavians of the first millennium developed these gold disc shaped pendants and used them as necklaces and talisman. They were produced by engraving on a resistant material such as wood and then pressing the thin sheet of gold onto the mould thereby transferring the design. Originally.Byzantine and Roman coins were used or copied. but later they developed their own motifs and designs honouring their gods.
Condition Summary. This varies with the age of the artefact and there are grades between
Extremely Fine (EF). Very slight traces of wear. all parts of pattern etc present. visible and clear
Very Fine (VF). Some signs of wear on the higher parts of the relief. all parts of pattern etc present. but may be worn
Fine (F). Wear on the artefact and parts of item and pattern etc may be missing or not visible
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