Northern Europe, possibly Gotland, Sweden, Viking, ca. 9th to 12th century CE. A hollow-formed silver inverted teardrop shaped pendant adorned with a male mask-like visage, its features formed by bands of filigree and granulation, with an integral ribbed suspension loop also adorned with clusters of granules. This piece is very similar to an amulet dating from the 9th-10th century CE that was excavated in Folhagen, Gotland in 1866 as part of a treasure trove that contained four kilograms of silver. Size: 1.125" W x 1.5" H (2.9 cm x 3.8 cm) Weight: 4.8 grams

Filigree and granulation are among the oldest metalsmithing techniques. The techniques involved include twisting silver or gold wires and soldering incredibly tiny beads comprised of the same precious metal onto the surface of the piece of jewelry. This very complicated technique requires painstaking attention to detail that relatively few jewelers have ever mastered. Ancient civilizations such as the Mesopotamians, Greeks, and Etruscans developed the methodology; filigreed and granulated jewelry continued to be popular in the Roman empire, and was also sought after by the Slavs, Anglo-Saxons, and Vikings, remaining popular throughout the Middle Ages. In fact, modern jewelers still utilize these ancient techniques.

Provenance: private New York, New York USA collection

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#123102

Small losses and bending to suspension loop as shown. Possibly missing a few granules though difficult to tell. Otherwise excellent.