Viking Horse and Rider Bronze Mount, 9th-11th Century

Description

Heading : Viking Horse and Rider Bronze  Mount. 9th-11th Century

Material: Bronze

Period: Viking

Date: 9th to 11th century

Origin: Northern Europe 

Condition: F+. dark patina

Description: A flat-section of openwork bronze. a decorative piece. may have been a mount; stylised horse with bearded rider. the central hole would probably be for attachment

Size and Weight: 39mm. 6.8g

Features and Provenance:  Previously from a private London collection.

This beautiful bronze applique may have originally been attached to a horse harness or male clothing adornment such as a belt. It is known that decorative mounts were recycled as jewellery when the original purpose was over; being traded as an amulet or symbol of achievement – whether actually achieved or just for show. 

The Vikings were great traders; they are often maligned as nothing more than Scandinavian thugs. but nothing could be further from the truth. The range of their trade-goods was extensive – this included slaves. Norsemen never referred to themselves as Vikings as it was an old Norse word meaning ‘adventure and trade’ this ensued from their ‘vanderlyst’. Viking did however. enter English lexicons in the 18th century. but even then it was only meant to refer to ‘a Scandinavian.’

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