Viking Era Iron Fire-starter, Fafnir Dragon
17
days
13
hours
55
minutes
34
seconds
Starting bid
€ 1
Reserve price not met
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 210 - € 250
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Viking Era iron fire-starter titled Fire-starter, Fafnir Dragon, dating to the 10th–11th century AD, in good condition with a broad striking plate and a looped handle forming a stylised Fafnir Dragon head.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
Viking Age, forged iron fire-striker, formed from a broad, slightly tapering striking plate combined with a long looped handle. The upper part curves into a stylised zoomorphic head of a Fafnir Dragon or serpent. A circular rivet positioned near the curve resembles the eye and strengthens the animal-like appearance.
-> Some strikers were given looped or zoomorphic forms, transforming a practical tool into a decorative personal possession. Dragons and serpents were prominent in Norse art and mythology, where they could evoke power, protection and dangerous supernatural forces
Length: ± 70,2 mm
Condition: The iron displays a dark brown-black patina with areas of reddish oxidation, surface pitting and signs of wear consistent with age and use.
Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) is available upon request for all lots with a hammer price of €100 or higher.
-> Using flint and iron is a primitive fire-making technique, tracing its origins to the Iron Age when iron became an accessible material. Dry and easily combustible material (tinder) was set on fire by using the sparks created by striking a piece of flint on the iron.
This very efficient technique was widely employed for many centuries. The invention of matches rendered the flint and steel method obsolete.
-> In Norse mythology Fafnir was the son of the dwarf king Hreidmar and was slain by Sigurd. In Norse culture Fafnir was a symbol of strength and greed. The fateful story of Fafnir was a warning against the chaotic and destructive powers of greed.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
Viking Age, forged iron fire-striker, formed from a broad, slightly tapering striking plate combined with a long looped handle. The upper part curves into a stylised zoomorphic head of a Fafnir Dragon or serpent. A circular rivet positioned near the curve resembles the eye and strengthens the animal-like appearance.
-> Some strikers were given looped or zoomorphic forms, transforming a practical tool into a decorative personal possession. Dragons and serpents were prominent in Norse art and mythology, where they could evoke power, protection and dangerous supernatural forces
Length: ± 70,2 mm
Condition: The iron displays a dark brown-black patina with areas of reddish oxidation, surface pitting and signs of wear consistent with age and use.
Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) is available upon request for all lots with a hammer price of €100 or higher.
-> Using flint and iron is a primitive fire-making technique, tracing its origins to the Iron Age when iron became an accessible material. Dry and easily combustible material (tinder) was set on fire by using the sparks created by striking a piece of flint on the iron.
This very efficient technique was widely employed for many centuries. The invention of matches rendered the flint and steel method obsolete.
-> In Norse mythology Fafnir was the son of the dwarf king Hreidmar and was slain by Sigurd. In Norse culture Fafnir was a symbol of strength and greed. The fateful story of Fafnir was a warning against the chaotic and destructive powers of greed.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Details
Culture
Viking Era
Century/timeframe
10th-11th century AD
Name of object
Fafnir Dragon, Fire-starter
Acquired from
Dealer at a fair
Year acquired
2025
Material
Iron
Country acquired from
Netherlands
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Dealer at a fair
Previous owner - year acquired
2025
Previous owner - country acquired from
Netherlands
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
