Viking Era Iron Fire-starter, Longship (No reserve price)
17
days
21
hours
34
minutes
13
seconds
Starting bid
€ 1
No reserve price
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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 forged as a stylised longship, dating to the 9th–10th century AD, in good condition with a dark brown‑black patina, authentic/original, acquired from the Netherlands.
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, rare forged iron fire-striker, formed as a stylised Viking warship or longship. The upper section is pierced with three circular openings. The pointed terminal may have served as a pick or practical aid when preparing tinder or kindling.
One side is shows engraved linear decoration, consisting of shallow, irregular wavy lines.
-> Fire-making was an essential part of everyday Viking life. A fire steel was normally carried together with flint and dry tinder, often in a small belt pouch. By striking the hardened edge of the steel against flint, tiny particles of iron were shaved away and heated sufficiently to ignite the tinder. Elaborately shaped examples demonstrate how even an everyday survival tool could combine practical function with distinctive craftsmanship.
Length: ± 61 mm
Condition: The iron displays a dark brown-black patina with areas of 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.
-> Viking ships were essential to Scandinavian expansion, trade and warfare. Their long, narrow hulls and shallow draught allowed them to travel quickly across open seas while also navigating rivers and landing directly on beaches. The famous longships were especially suited to raiding and military transport, while broader vessels were used for trade and carrying cargo. Their elegant curved stems became one of the most recognisable symbols of the Viking Age.
-> 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.
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, rare forged iron fire-striker, formed as a stylised Viking warship or longship. The upper section is pierced with three circular openings. The pointed terminal may have served as a pick or practical aid when preparing tinder or kindling.
One side is shows engraved linear decoration, consisting of shallow, irregular wavy lines.
-> Fire-making was an essential part of everyday Viking life. A fire steel was normally carried together with flint and dry tinder, often in a small belt pouch. By striking the hardened edge of the steel against flint, tiny particles of iron were shaved away and heated sufficiently to ignite the tinder. Elaborately shaped examples demonstrate how even an everyday survival tool could combine practical function with distinctive craftsmanship.
Length: ± 61 mm
Condition: The iron displays a dark brown-black patina with areas of 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.
-> Viking ships were essential to Scandinavian expansion, trade and warfare. Their long, narrow hulls and shallow draught allowed them to travel quickly across open seas while also navigating rivers and landing directly on beaches. The famous longships were especially suited to raiding and military transport, while broader vessels were used for trade and carrying cargo. Their elegant curved stems became one of the most recognisable symbols of the Viking Age.
-> 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.
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
9th-10th century AD
Name of object
Longship, Fire-starter
Acquired from
Antique market
Year acquired
2026
Material
Iron
Country acquired from
Netherlands
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Auction house
Previous owner - year acquired
2026
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
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
