VIKING SILVER LUNAR PENDANT WITH THREE CENTRAL PELLETS

Ca. AD 800 - 1100 A Viking lunate pendant, shaped from silver into a crescent form, with three moulded pellets stippling the centre of the front face. The other two sides are encircled by a rope shaped border. At the top centre is a horizontal loop for suspension and the back of the piece is flat. Though its true meaning in later cultures is unknown, it most likely draws inspiration from Roman protective deities, such as Diana and Selene and Roman practices, such as girls wearing crescent-shaped amulets called “lunula”.
Size: 51mm x 34mm; Weight: 6g
Provenance: Private UK collection; From an old British collection formed in the 1990s.

200
Estimate: GBP 300 - 600