VIKING BRONZE DRUM BROOCH WITH SILVER FITTINGS Late 9th-10th century AD A drum brooch comprising a hollow-cast shell with separate base plate; the sidewall of the shell tapering gently and divided into four panels of zoomorphic ornament separated by four tongue-shaped plaques extending beyond the upper edge of the brooch to form D-shaped lugs; each plaque decorated with a stylised beast, head to the top and legs extending to the corners, executed with deep, crisp lines and sharp edges; between the plaques, four panels of stylised zoomorphic ornament in a development of Oseberg Style; to the upper face a tall central knop and four small ones within a dense field of animal motifs radiating from the post, executed in the same evolved style; to the baseplate the pin-lug and catchplate for the ferrous pin; baseplate secured by studs passing through the slightly flared lower edge of the drum into holes close to the edge of the baseplate; the upper perimeter of the sidewall ornamented with a series of holes to accept a two-ply silver cord, one section absent. 109 grams, 54mm (2 1/4"). Very fine condition. Extremely rare. Provenance Property of a 19th century collector; thence by descent. Literature See MacGregor, A. et al. A Summary Catalogue of the Continental Archaeological Collections (Roman Iron Age, Migration Period, Early Medieval), Oxford, 1997 item 1.9; Rydh, H. Dosformiga Spännen från Vikingatifden, Stockholm, 1919; and Thunmark-Nylén, L. Vikingatida Dosspännen – Teknisk Stratigrafi och Verkstadsgruppering, Uppsala, 1983. Footnotes Drum brooches (also called ‘box brooches’, Swedish Dosspännen) were a Scandinavian fashion of the Viking period, beginning in the late 8th century AD and featuring Oseberg style gripping-beast motifs. They remained popular throughout the period into the 11th century AD. They are especially associated with the island of Gotland, the crossroads of trade and traffic in the Baltic where a variety of cultural influences were felt. Occasional examples occur elsewhere in the area of Scandinavian power, plausibly associated with the movement of brides from Gotland to foreign homelands. The earliest (8th century) examples are high-quality multi-part castings with lavish use of gold, parcel-gilding and silver; by the later Viking age they appear in bronze and gilt bronze. The original artistic motifs also evolve into more geometric forms with increased use of knotwork. As a type, they are characterised by their discoid upper face divided into symmetrical quarters often with openwork detail; cords and faux-ropework to the edges are a consistent feature of the design. Some feature a separate cast upper plate, and on others it is the baseplate which is separate, as on the present example. Occasionally the central knop is also a separate casting. It has been suggested that drum brooches were used to hold small valuables, although this seems improbable – these were normally suspended from the girdle or necklace for display. They were most probably used to fasten the triangular shawl or mantle which covered the upper body, in the dress fashion which included the heavy hängerok dress which was worn outside the undershift; the hängerok was often of rich fabric with embroidered borders, and the metal jewellery and glass beads were used to add richness to the costume. It may be this type of brooch (or the tortoise form) which was referred to by the Arab traveller Ibn Fadlan when he mentioned that Rus women wore on their chests drum-shaped brooches of iron, copper, silver or gold, whose decoration indicated the wealth of their husbands.
VIKING BRONZE DRUM BROOCH WITH SILVER FITTINGS Late 9th-10th century AD A drum brooch comprising a hollow-cast shell with separate base plate; the sidewall of the shell tapering gently and divided into four panels of zoomorphic ornament separated by four tongue-shaped plaques extending beyond the upper edge of the brooch to form D-shaped lugs; each plaque decorated with a stylised beast, head to the top and legs extending to the corners, executed with deep, crisp lines and sharp edges; between the plaques, four panels of stylised zoomorphic ornament in a development of Oseberg Style; to the upper face a tall central knop and four small ones within a dense field of animal motifs radiating from the post, executed in the same evolved style; to the baseplate the pin-lug and catchplate for the ferrous pin; baseplate secured by studs passing through the slightly flared lower edge of the drum into holes close to the edge of the baseplate; the upper perimeter of the sidewall ornamented with a series of holes to accept a two-ply silver cord, one section absent. 109 grams, 54mm (2 1/4"). Very fine condition. Extremely rare. Provenance Property of a 19th century collector; thence by descent. Literature See MacGregor, A. et al. A Summary Catalogue of the Continental Archaeological Collections (Roman Iron Age, Migration Period, Early Medieval), Oxford, 1997 item 1.9; Rydh, H. Dosformiga Spännen från Vikingatifden, Stockholm, 1919; and Thunmark-Nylén, L. Vikingatida Dosspännen – Teknisk Stratigrafi och Verkstadsgruppering, Uppsala, 1983. Footnotes Drum brooches (also called ‘box brooches’, Swedish Dosspännen) were a Scandinavian fashion of the Viking period, beginning in the late 8th century AD and featuring Oseberg style gripping-beast motifs. They remained popular throughout the period into the 11th century AD. They are especially associated with the island of Gotland, the crossroads of trade and traffic in the Baltic where a variety of cultural influences were felt. Occasional examples occur elsewhere in the area of Scandinavian power, plausibly associated with the movement of brides from Gotland to foreign homelands. The earliest (8th century) examples are high-quality multi-part castings with lavish use of gold, parcel-gilding and silver; by the later Viking age they appear in bronze and gilt bronze. The original artistic motifs also evolve into more geometric forms with increased use of knotwork. As a type, they are characterised by their discoid upper face divided into symmetrical quarters often with openwork detail; cords and faux-ropework to the edges are a consistent feature of the design. Some feature a separate cast upper plate, and on others it is the baseplate which is separate, as on the present example. Occasionally the central knop is also a separate casting. It has been suggested that drum brooches were used to hold small valuables, although this seems improbable – these were normally suspended from the girdle or necklace for display. They were most probably used to fasten the triangular shawl or mantle which covered the upper body, in the dress fashion which included the heavy hängerok dress which was worn outside the undershift; the hängerok was often of rich fabric with embroidered borders, and the metal jewellery and glass beads were used to add richness to the costume. It may be this type of brooch (or the tortoise form) which was referred to by the Arab traveller Ibn Fadlan when he mentioned that Rus women wore on their chests drum-shaped brooches of iron, copper, silver or gold, whose decoration indicated the wealth of their husbands.
Try LotSearch and its premium features for 7 days - without any costs!
Be notified automatically about new items in upcoming auctions.
Create an alert
