Viking Era Bronze Beautiful Double-Bird Object – Norse Avian Symbolism with Reference to Huginn and Muninn (No reserve price)

04
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Current bid
€ 1
No reserve price
Ruth Garrido Vila
Expert
Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila

Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.

Estimate  € 150 - € 200
SI
€1

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Excellent condition Viking Age bronze Double‑Bird Object with Norse avian symbolism referencing Huginn and Muninn, ca. 9th–11th century AD, cast and hand-finished with ring-and-dot decoration; dimensions 34.16 mm high, 56.03 mm wide, 21.30 mm deep, weight 48.97 g.

AI-assisted summary

Description from the seller

Beautiful Viking-Era Double-Bird Object – Norse Avian Symbolism with Reference to Huginn and Muninn – Exceptional Collector’s Piece – ca. 9th–11th Century AD

Object Type: Double-Bird Object / Zoomorphic Object
Culture: Scandinavian / Norse
Period: Viking Age
Date: ca. 9th–11th century AD
Material: Metal alloy, probably bronze
Technique: Cast and hand-finished; ring-and-dot decoration

Dimensions
Height: 34.16 mm ±
Width: 56.03 mm ±
Depth: 21.30 mm ±
Weight: 48.97 g ±

Note

A Cultural and Iconographic Assessment Certificate may be requested before shipment and supplied as a printed hard copy. All shipments are fully insured. Warm museum-inspired lighting was used during photography to emphasize the object’s surface, zoomorphic modelling and historical character naturally. Any suspension cord or other display accessories visible in the photographs are used exclusively for presentation and are not included with the object.

Description

This cast metal-alloy object presents a striking symmetrical pair of outward-facing birds, each distinguished by an elongated beak and a ring-and-dot eye. The balanced composition draws attention to the relationship between the two bird heads, while the stylised modelling gives the piece a distinctive zoomorphic character.

The paired-bird arrangement invites an iconographic comparison with Huginn and Muninn, Óðinn’s two birds, traditionally associated with thought and memory. This reference provides a mythological context for interpreting the composition, while retaining the broader identification of the figures as birds.

The elongated beaks, clearly defined eyes and symmetrical arrangement create a compact yet expressive design. Its sculptural form and paired avian imagery make it a distinctive collector’s piece for those interested in Scandinavian metalwork and the symbolic world of the Viking Age.

Information
The object has been documented using high-resolution imaging equipment, with its physical structure and form left entirely unaltered; only limited color-balance adjustments have been applied to ensure visual accuracy. As high-resolution imagery may influence the perception of scale, the photographs should always be considered together with the stated measurements.

Statements concerning dating, original function, cultural attribution, symbolic interpretation and material identification represent academic assessments based on typological comparison, comparative museum material and expert opinion; definitive conclusions would require direct physical and, where appropriate, laboratory examination.
The presentation and sale of this object are conducted in accordance with principles of transparency, scholarly consistency and good faith, and no object is knowingly presented as a copy or imitation.

Upon request prior to shipment, a signed ownership document issued in the buyer’s name may also be provided. If requested prior to dispatch, the Cultural and Iconographic Assessment Certificate will be prepared as a physical hard copy and included with the shipment.

Beautiful Viking-Era Double-Bird Object – Norse Avian Symbolism with Reference to Huginn and Muninn – Exceptional Collector’s Piece – ca. 9th–11th Century AD

Object Type: Double-Bird Object / Zoomorphic Object
Culture: Scandinavian / Norse
Period: Viking Age
Date: ca. 9th–11th century AD
Material: Metal alloy, probably bronze
Technique: Cast and hand-finished; ring-and-dot decoration

Dimensions
Height: 34.16 mm ±
Width: 56.03 mm ±
Depth: 21.30 mm ±
Weight: 48.97 g ±

Note

A Cultural and Iconographic Assessment Certificate may be requested before shipment and supplied as a printed hard copy. All shipments are fully insured. Warm museum-inspired lighting was used during photography to emphasize the object’s surface, zoomorphic modelling and historical character naturally. Any suspension cord or other display accessories visible in the photographs are used exclusively for presentation and are not included with the object.

Description

This cast metal-alloy object presents a striking symmetrical pair of outward-facing birds, each distinguished by an elongated beak and a ring-and-dot eye. The balanced composition draws attention to the relationship between the two bird heads, while the stylised modelling gives the piece a distinctive zoomorphic character.

The paired-bird arrangement invites an iconographic comparison with Huginn and Muninn, Óðinn’s two birds, traditionally associated with thought and memory. This reference provides a mythological context for interpreting the composition, while retaining the broader identification of the figures as birds.

The elongated beaks, clearly defined eyes and symmetrical arrangement create a compact yet expressive design. Its sculptural form and paired avian imagery make it a distinctive collector’s piece for those interested in Scandinavian metalwork and the symbolic world of the Viking Age.

Information
The object has been documented using high-resolution imaging equipment, with its physical structure and form left entirely unaltered; only limited color-balance adjustments have been applied to ensure visual accuracy. As high-resolution imagery may influence the perception of scale, the photographs should always be considered together with the stated measurements.

Statements concerning dating, original function, cultural attribution, symbolic interpretation and material identification represent academic assessments based on typological comparison, comparative museum material and expert opinion; definitive conclusions would require direct physical and, where appropriate, laboratory examination.
The presentation and sale of this object are conducted in accordance with principles of transparency, scholarly consistency and good faith, and no object is knowingly presented as a copy or imitation.

Upon request prior to shipment, a signed ownership document issued in the buyer’s name may also be provided. If requested prior to dispatch, the Cultural and Iconographic Assessment Certificate will be prepared as a physical hard copy and included with the shipment.

Details

Culture
Viking Era
Century/timeframe
ca. 9th–11th Century AD
Name of object
Beautiful Double-Bird Object – Norse Avian Symbolism with Reference to Huginn and Muninn
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
1996
Material
Bronze
Country acquired from
Germany
Condition
Excellent
Previous owner acquired from
Antique market
Previous owner - year acquired
2026
Previous owner - country acquired from
Germany
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
The NetherlandsVerified
203
Objects sold
100%
Privatetop

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.

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