Viking Era Bear-Claw Amulet Pendant (No reserve price)
16
days
15
hours
55
minutes
02
seconds
Current bid
€ 4
No reserve price
Expert
Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 210 - € 250
 | €4 | |
|---|---|---|
 | €3 | |
| €1 |
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Viking Era Bear-Claw Amulet Pendant, an original cast bronze pendant dating to the 9th–11th century AD, in good condition with a size of approximately 35.1 × 11.5 mm, acquired in 2026 from a gallery/antique dealer in the Netherlands, previously with a gallery/antique dealer, delivered on a modern leather cord with a Certificate of Authenticity available on request for lots with hammer price €100 or higher.
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.
Early Medieval Viking Age, cast bronze amulet in the form of a stylised claw of a bear. The broad, curved terminal forms the claw and is decorated on both sides with punched dots. The elongated flattened upper section is decorated with diagonal incised grooves and is pierced to allow for suspension on a chain or cord.
The amulet will be delivered on a modern leather jewellery cord.
-> Claw and tooth amulets were worn in Northern and Eastern Europe, specifically during the Late Iron Age and Viking period. In the pre-Christian belief systems of Northern and Eastern Europe, the bear was regarded as a powerful and sacred animal associated with strength, protection and the wilderness. Bear-tooth and claw-shaped pendants may have served as personal amulets through which the wearer symbolically acquired or invoked these qualities.
In the Scandinavian world, the bear was also indirectly associated with the berserkir, warrior figures traditionally connected with Odin, although the precise religious meaning of such pendants remains uncertain.
Size: ± 35.1 x 11.5 mm
Condition: good solid condition, attractive patina with minor surface irregularities 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.
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.
Early Medieval Viking Age, cast bronze amulet in the form of a stylised claw of a bear. The broad, curved terminal forms the claw and is decorated on both sides with punched dots. The elongated flattened upper section is decorated with diagonal incised grooves and is pierced to allow for suspension on a chain or cord.
The amulet will be delivered on a modern leather jewellery cord.
-> Claw and tooth amulets were worn in Northern and Eastern Europe, specifically during the Late Iron Age and Viking period. In the pre-Christian belief systems of Northern and Eastern Europe, the bear was regarded as a powerful and sacred animal associated with strength, protection and the wilderness. Bear-tooth and claw-shaped pendants may have served as personal amulets through which the wearer symbolically acquired or invoked these qualities.
In the Scandinavian world, the bear was also indirectly associated with the berserkir, warrior figures traditionally connected with Odin, although the precise religious meaning of such pendants remains uncertain.
Size: ± 35.1 x 11.5 mm
Condition: good solid condition, attractive patina with minor surface irregularities 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.
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-11th century AD
Name of object
Bear-Claw Amulet Pendant
Acquired from
Gallery / Antique dealer
Year acquired
2026
Country acquired from
Netherlands
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Gallery / Antique dealer
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.
