Viking Bronze Lunate Pendant 9th-11th Century

Description

Heading : Viking Era. Bronze Lunate Pendant. 9th-11th Century

Material: Bronze

Period: Viking/Early Medieval

Date: 9th to 11th century

Origin: Northern Europe

Condition: VF slight bend to suspension loop. but wonderful dark patina.  

Description: An exquisite. crescent-shaped pendant ornamented with solar and astronomical symbols denoted by smaller raised dots. larger dots may represent a face; suspension loop to top; plain reverse. 

Size and Weight: 26.5mm x 27mm. 7.74g

Features and Provenance: From an Austrian collector

The moon and sun 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 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