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Alla auktioner / Förhistorisk Konst / Early Medieval Viking Bronze “The Watchful Sun of the...
A fascinating Early Medieval / Viking Era bronze amulet of highly unusual openwork form, richly ornamented with concentric ring-and-dot motifs and radiating linear decoration. The composition is dominated by a broad circular upper section surrounding a large central aperture. Across its surface are numerous carefully punched ring-and-dot circles, separated by groups of parallel and radiating incised lines. Together they create an almost celestial appearance, reminiscent of small suns, watchful eyes or points of light arranged around a central opening. Ring-and-dot decoration belongs to a very old ornamental vocabulary and continued to appear on objects of personal adornment throughout the Early Medieval period. Its precise meaning on this particular object cannot now be recovered. Nevertheless, circular and radial imagery naturally allows a symbolic interpretation connected with the sun, cycles, vigilance, continuity and protection. Comparable Early Medieval pendants likewise employ circular and openwork compositions that have been interpreted in solar or protective terms. Particularly intriguing is the amulet's silhouette. Beneath the great circular element, the body narrows before expanding into two rounded terminals, while a second circular opening pierces the lower section. The resulting form has an almost anthropomorphic character—as though the great decorated disc formed a symbolic head or radiant solar face above a stylised body. The numerous concentric circles can therefore be imaginatively understood as “watchful eyes”, surrounding the wearer with an uninterrupted field of symbolic vigilance. The radiating lines reinforce this impression, resembling rays spreading outward from a sacred or protective centre. This interpretation should be regarded as symbolic rather than as a definitive identification of the original meaning of the decoration. The bronze surface displays an attractive deep green patina with warmer exposed bronze highlights, while irregularities, wear and surviving surface texture preserve the individual character of the object. Now presented with a modern silver suspension and chain, allowing this enigmatic piece of Early Medieval imagery to be worn while keeping the ancient bronze itself as the visual focus.
Utropspris:SEK 2,239.9
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Utropspris:
SEK 2,239.9
OCT 8 | 3:00 PM
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