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PENDANT
Unique ID: LIN-D3E540
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published 
Treasure reference 2013 T188: A gold Viking pendant in the form of 'Thor's hammer'. The pendant is in the form of a double-headed hammer with an elongated pentagonal head. The head is rectangular in cross-section. From the centre of the head extends an integral tapering rectangular-sectioned shaft. The terminal of the shaftis narrowed to form a suspension loop.
Both faces of the axe are decorated with punched motifs resembling quatrefoils or perhaps miniature axes. All sides of the shaft are also decorated in a similar manner.
Similar decoration is seen on a silver Thor's hammer pendant from Thurcaston, Leicestershire (PAS ref. LEIC-185125).
Thor's hammers are Viking-period amulet pendants, which are thought to represent the hammer of the Norse god Thor, known as Mjollnir. Examples in silver and copper-alloy are well represented in Scandinavia, and in areas of Viking settlement in England. Those examples from the Danelaw are mostly undecorated or simple decorated, and are thought to have been made in England. Those from Scandinavia are often elaborately decorated with punchwork or filigree (Ager 2003: 75).
Only one other example in gold is known from England, coming from South Lopham, Norfolk (Margeson 1997: figs. 13-14).
Viking hammer pendants date to the late 9th or early 10th century.
References
Ager, B. (2003) 'Great Witchingham, Norfolk', Treasure Annual Report 2003 (London: DCMS)
Margeson, S. (1997) The Vikings in Norfolk (Norfolk: Norfolk Museums Service)
Notes:
This pendant has been 'cleaned' by the finder using a polishing machine, which has given the object a smooth, 'soap' appearance.
Class: Thor's hammer
Subsequent actions
Current location of find: Acquired by The Collection
Subsequent action after recording: Acquired by museum after being declared Treasure
Treasure details
Treasure case tracking number: 2013T188
Chronology
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Subperiod from: Late
Period from: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Period to: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Ascribed Culture:
Viking style
Date from: Circa AD 850
Date to: Circa AD 950
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 19 mm
Width: 15 mm
Thickness: 2 mm
Weight: 3.65 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Wednesday 20th March 2013
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Treasure case number: 2013T188
Materials and construction
Primary material: Gold
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
Spatial metadata
Region: East Midlands (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Lincolnshire (County)
District: East Lindsey (District)
To be known as: Spilsby area
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: From a paper map
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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