Northern Europe, Viking or Norse culture, ca. 800 to 1100 CE. A fine example of a cast silver Thor's Hammer pendant, with a long silver handle ending in a narrow, slightly upturned hammer that is stamped with triangles on both faces. The triangular stamp is one of the most distinctive Viking metalwork decorations. At the top, as the silver tapers, it is folded over to create a suspension loop; a silver ring with its ends twisted together is hooked through the loop. Size: 1" W x 2.375" H (2.5 cm x 6 cm), 10.3 grams

Small Thor's hammers were worn as religious amulets throughout the Viking era, usually made of silver and usually hung on silver chains. They have been found in silver hoards throughout the areas of Viking influence in the North Atlantic and Scandinavia. Some even made it to the Christian era - there is a famous example of a Thor's hammer amulet from Fossi, Iceland, that has been turned into a cross. Some scholars believe that Thor's hammers were made to be worn suspended from brooches, and most of those we know from graves in Scandinavia belonged to women. However, a silver example was found in a male burial at Repton, in northern England, alongside two beads and located at the neck - so people of both sexes did wear them, and they were not always worn on brooches either.

Provenance: private New York, USA collection

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#128426

Intact, with slight bending to ring and very light patina. Cord shown in photograph not included.