Viking Era Silver Lunate Pendant 9th-11th Century

Description

Heading : Viking Era, Silver Lunate Pendant, 9th-11th Century

Material: Silver

Period: Viking/Early Medieval

Date: 9th to 11th century

Origin: Northern Europe, possibly Slavic workmanship

Condition: VF, suspension loop intact, toned.

Description: An exquisite, crescent-shaped pendant ornamented with three plus one granules and a curved band which may have an astronomical significance; suspension loop to top; plain reverse.

Size and Weight: 26mm x 23mm, 3.94g

Features and Provenance: From an London collection acquired in the 1990’s

The moon, sun and stars were important to the Norseman, their calendar was based on the lunar cycle rather than the sun and they only had two seasons. The god of the moon was called Mani (pronounce Mahnee) and gave rise to the English Monday and the Danish is Mantag. The moon was related to fertility and crescent pendants were probably worn by women either singularly or as a group on a necklace. The possible astronomical symbology relates to their shipping and navigational prowess.

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