Viking Prick Spur. Circa 11th century AD. Copper-alloy, Widt...

Hammer

£160

Viking Prick Spur. Circa 11th century AD. Copper-alloy, Width of arms: 26mm, height: 10.5mm, thickness: 8mm. Length of projection: 55.6mm, height: 12.5mm, width: 9mm. Weight: 28.9g. It consists of two C-sectioned arms enclosing the corroded remains of the iron core. Each of the arms exhibits a series of three transverse ridges, each separated from its neighbour by a transverse groove; bordered at each short edge by a longitudinal ridge. The shaft exhibits moulded Urnes style zoomorphic decoration comprising scrolling tendrils running down either side, each running up to a coiled projection on either side of the head, possibly depicting ears or horns. Below, the trapezoidal head exhibits pronounced brows, bulging triangular eyes and scrolling tendrils down either side of the tapering snout which terminates in an oval aperture framed by the open jaws of the beast. A pair of narrow tendrils curl from the nostrils, each terminating in a curling lobe. The lower jaw is squared. The aperture is filled with the corroded remains of the iron rod which would have originally protruded from the beast's mouth, forming the goad. Ref: Williams, D, 2002 "Two Late Saxon spur fragments from Sussex and Hampshire."Medieval archaeology: Journal of the Society for Medieval Archaeology 46, p.115-117.
Recorded on the PAS database: NMS-524F67.