VIKING SILVER 'ELFSHOT' PROTECTIVE AMULET 9th-10th century AD A trapezoidal silver sleeve with granule lozenges to one face, clusters to the reverse, flat-section loop above; small flint blade with broken tip. 5 grams, 45mm (1 3/4"). Fine condition; tip of knife absent. Extremely rare. Provenance From an old Munich collection; acquired on the German art market before 2000. Literature See discussion of curated stone blades for magical and curative purposes in Evans, J. The Ancient Stone Implements, Weapons and Ornaments of Great Britain, London, 1897, p.365. Footnotes This amulet was believed to be protection against “Elfshot”: the attack of elves was believed to be responsible for mysterious suffering in men and livestock. 'Elfshot' described sudden shooting pains localised to a particular area of the body, such as in rheumatism, arthritis or muscle stitches or cramps. Elves were thought to shoot darts or arrows where such pains had no obvious external cause. Belief in elfshot persisted into the 20th century in rural areas, and as proof, country folk would sometimes find small arrowheads (the remains of Neolithic or Mesolithic flints, or naturally-occuring spear-shaped stones) that were believed to be the magical weapons that caused the afflictions. The belief in elfshot begins in the Pagan Germanic period and this amulet is a very early and rare example. Date Thursday 12th February 2015 - Saturday 14th February 2015, Antiquities & Coin Catalogue Auction TimeLine Auctions Ltd arranges printed catalogue rostrum Auctions, eAuctions and Timed Auctions where we offer antiquities, ancient artefacts / artifacts, antiques, collectibles, coins, medals and books for public sale.
VIKING SILVER 'ELFSHOT' PROTECTIVE AMULET 9th-10th century AD A trapezoidal silver sleeve with granule lozenges to one face, clusters to the reverse, flat-section loop above; small flint blade with broken tip. 5 grams, 45mm (1 3/4"). Fine condition; tip of knife absent. Extremely rare. Provenance From an old Munich collection; acquired on the German art market before 2000. Literature See discussion of curated stone blades for magical and curative purposes in Evans, J. The Ancient Stone Implements, Weapons and Ornaments of Great Britain, London, 1897, p.365. Footnotes This amulet was believed to be protection against “Elfshot”: the attack of elves was believed to be responsible for mysterious suffering in men and livestock. 'Elfshot' described sudden shooting pains localised to a particular area of the body, such as in rheumatism, arthritis or muscle stitches or cramps. Elves were thought to shoot darts or arrows where such pains had no obvious external cause. Belief in elfshot persisted into the 20th century in rural areas, and as proof, country folk would sometimes find small arrowheads (the remains of Neolithic or Mesolithic flints, or naturally-occuring spear-shaped stones) that were believed to be the magical weapons that caused the afflictions. The belief in elfshot begins in the Pagan Germanic period and this amulet is a very early and rare example. Date Thursday 12th February 2015 - Saturday 14th February 2015, Antiquities & Coin Catalogue Auction TimeLine Auctions Ltd arranges printed catalogue rostrum Auctions, eAuctions and Timed Auctions where we offer antiquities, ancient artefacts / artifacts, antiques, collectibles, coins, medals and books for public sale.
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