VIKING CARVED 'FREYR' STONE 11th-12th century AD A fragment of a stone figure with engraved bearded male face in the upper part and raised phallus in the lower part, possibly a depiction of fertility god Freyr. 13 grams, 45mm (1 3/4"). Fair condition. [No Reserve] Provenance From an old Munich collection; acquired on the German art market before 2000. Footnotes Freyr, together with his twin sister Freyja, was one of the most important Viking gods of prosperity, peace, fertility and the sun. Adam of Bremen wrote in his Gesta Hammaburgensis ecclesiae pontificum that he was worshipped together with Thor and Woden (Odin) in the famous temple at Uppsala and that he was fashioned with an immense phallus. Also, libations were made to this image when a marriage was performed, probably to ensure the prosperity of the newly-wed couple. In later Icelandic sources, the best known myth is his marriage with the beautiful giantess Gerdr, who was wooed for him by his servant Skirnir. However, Freyr gave his sword to Skirnir in exchange for undertaking this mission, which turned out to be a crucial decision because without it he would lose his life in battle against the fire-giant Surtr. Apart from the sword, Freyr also owned the magical ship Skidbladnir and the boar Gullinbursti, both made by dwarves. In the late Icelandic tale Ögmundar tháttr dytts there is a mention of the Freyr's statue being carried in a wagon around Sweden accompanied by a young priestess; this indicates that the local people believed that Freyr was alive and would need to have a sexual relationship with his wife.
VIKING CARVED 'FREYR' STONE 11th-12th century AD A fragment of a stone figure with engraved bearded male face in the upper part and raised phallus in the lower part, possibly a depiction of fertility god Freyr. 13 grams, 45mm (1 3/4"). Fair condition. [No Reserve] Provenance From an old Munich collection; acquired on the German art market before 2000. Footnotes Freyr, together with his twin sister Freyja, was one of the most important Viking gods of prosperity, peace, fertility and the sun. Adam of Bremen wrote in his Gesta Hammaburgensis ecclesiae pontificum that he was worshipped together with Thor and Woden (Odin) in the famous temple at Uppsala and that he was fashioned with an immense phallus. Also, libations were made to this image when a marriage was performed, probably to ensure the prosperity of the newly-wed couple. In later Icelandic sources, the best known myth is his marriage with the beautiful giantess Gerdr, who was wooed for him by his servant Skirnir. However, Freyr gave his sword to Skirnir in exchange for undertaking this mission, which turned out to be a crucial decision because without it he would lose his life in battle against the fire-giant Surtr. Apart from the sword, Freyr also owned the magical ship Skidbladnir and the boar Gullinbursti, both made by dwarves. In the late Icelandic tale Ögmundar tháttr dytts there is a mention of the Freyr's statue being carried in a wagon around Sweden accompanied by a young priestess; this indicates that the local people believed that Freyr was alive and would need to have a sexual relationship with his wife.
.jpg "Source: Timeline Auctions")
.jpg "Source: Timeline Auctions")
Try LotSearch and its premium features for 7 days - without any costs!
Be notified automatically about new items in upcoming auctions.
Create an alert
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
