VIKING AXE PENDANT NECKLACE 9th-11th century AD A restrung necklace of graduated irregular crystal and carnelian beads with seven silver pelta-shaped dangles; modern clasp. 65 grams, 44cm (17 1/4"). Fine condition. Provenance Property of a London businessman, from his grandfather's collection formed after World War II; thence by descent 1972. Literature Cf. Gelling, P. and Ellis Davidson, H. The Chariot of the Sun, London, 1972, pp. 145-147, for a discussion on the use of the axe in Scandinavian paganism. Footnotes In northern Europe the cult of axes played an important role from the Bronze Age until the conversion of the Vikings. This is most evident in the axe shaped amulets that have been found and which are closely associated with the hammer of Thor known as Mjolnir. Axes are found carved into rocks at a number of sites in Scandinavia and it is believed that they had some sort of fertility symbolism as they are often carried by an ithyphallic figure that has been identified as a deity. Miniature axes used as amulets are documented from the late Iron Age and also in the Viking period. During the Viking period the axe probably lost its fertility associations of the Bronze Age and would probably have been a protective symbol, as seen in the role of the weapon wielded by Thor in his battles with the giants.
VIKING AXE PENDANT NECKLACE 9th-11th century AD A restrung necklace of graduated irregular crystal and carnelian beads with seven silver pelta-shaped dangles; modern clasp. 65 grams, 44cm (17 1/4"). Fine condition. Provenance Property of a London businessman, from his grandfather's collection formed after World War II; thence by descent 1972. Literature Cf. Gelling, P. and Ellis Davidson, H. The Chariot of the Sun, London, 1972, pp. 145-147, for a discussion on the use of the axe in Scandinavian paganism. Footnotes In northern Europe the cult of axes played an important role from the Bronze Age until the conversion of the Vikings. This is most evident in the axe shaped amulets that have been found and which are closely associated with the hammer of Thor known as Mjolnir. Axes are found carved into rocks at a number of sites in Scandinavia and it is believed that they had some sort of fertility symbolism as they are often carried by an ithyphallic figure that has been identified as a deity. Miniature axes used as amulets are documented from the late Iron Age and also in the Viking period. During the Viking period the axe probably lost its fertility associations of the Bronze Age and would probably have been a protective symbol, as seen in the role of the weapon wielded by Thor in his battles with the giants.
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