Medieval Bronze Scandinavian Talisman Pendant – Circular Decoration, Curved Form and Garment Attachment (No reserve price)

A piece of the past, created to be carried

Medieval Scandinavian Talisman Pendant – Circular Decoration, Curved Form and Garment Attachment – Collector’s Piece

Culture: Scandinavian / Medieval
Period: Crusader Era
Date: ca. 11th–13th century AD
Material: Metal alloy, probably bronze

Dimensions
Height: 21.32 mm ±
Width: 29.33 mm ±
Depth: 8.00 mm ±
Weight: 7.94 g ±

Description

Distinguished by its curved body extending to either side and its pierced upright attachment, this piece has a compact structure suitable for suspension as a pendant. The broad lower edge and tapering lateral tips create a balanced, crescent-like silhouette. The circular decoration with a central dot recalls the ring-and-dot ornament also encountered in Scandinavian metalwork.

The pierced extension accommodates suspension and attachment to a loop or tie on clothing. This construction offers a functional comparison with toggle-type fasteners used on cloaks and similar garments. The Old Norse term men — neck ornament or necklace — provides a historical linguistic context for its presentation as a personal ornament.

The central-dot circular motif draws attention through its eye-like arrangement. Themes of wisdom and sight surrounding Óðinn’s single eye in Norse mythology provide a symbolic point of comparison for this decoration. The curved body also recalls the silhouette of crescent-shaped lunar pendants, bringing circular ornament and a moon-like form together within the same composition.

Note

Warm lighting inspired by museum illumination was used to naturally highlight the object’s surface, form, craftsmanship and historical appearance. Suspension cords and other display accessories visible in the photographs serve as presentation aids and are not included in the sale.

★ Please refer to the stated measurements when assessing the actual size. Objects of different dimensions may appear at a similar scale in photographs, so their apparent size in an image does not, by itself, reflect their physical dimensions.

All shipments are fully insured. Differences in shipping charges for certain countries reflect the varying costs of insured delivery to each destination. A printed copy of the Cultural and Iconographic Assessment Certificate can be prepared if requested before dispatch.

Information

The acquisition history of this piece traces back to an auction associated with A.N. Auction House in Germany. The object was acquired in 2026 and transferred to us that same year by its previous owner, N.A., based in the Netherlands.

Archaeological assessment considers material, form and symbols alongside the known find context, comparative examples in museum collections and academic publications. These sources form the basis for evaluation by experienced museum specialists and archaeologists.

Descriptions of period, function, symbolic meaning and material likewise constitute academic assessments supported by typological comparisons and expert opinion. Appropriate advanced laboratory analyses may help clarify specific questions concerning material, manufacture and dating; such scientific examinations are conducted separately from, and beyond the scope of, the sales process.

The object has been documented using high-resolution equipment. No intervention has been made to its form or structural integrity; image editing has been restricted to limited color-balance adjustments.

Museum-standard technical photographs can be provided upon request while the auction is ongoing. An expert assessment report and a signed ownership document issued in the buyer’s name can also be supplied in PDF format within 3–5 business days, provided they are requested before shipment.

Scholarly consistency, transparency and good faith are observed throughout the presentation and sales process. No object known to be a copy or imitation is offered for sale.