Pre-Viking Vendel period plate Torslunda type. Man between two bears.

Early medieval. Rare plate representing a man armed with a sword and a knife between two bears. This plate is very close to one of the plates discovered in Torslunda and presenting the same scene. The Torslunda plates discovered in 1870 are bronze matrices intended to produce fine bronze plates intended to adorn helmets from the Vendel period (Vendel, Valsgarde, Sutton Hoo...). Our plate, unlike the Torslunda matrices, is made from a metamorphic stone: we are in the presence of an original model intended to produce molds for bronze matrices. It has also been demonstrated (see bibliography) that these matrices were mass-produced with copies from originals or even helmet plates. A scientific analysis of the stone by the Re.S.Artes laboratory revealed an alteration of the stone corresponding to natural alteration over several centuries.

This plate is therefore the first known example of a model for the production of dies used to stamp the sheets adorning helmets. The scientific and geological analysis report will be given to the buyer.
Related works: Plate discovered in Torslunda (Sweden) and kept at the Statens Historiska Museer in Stockhlom under accession number 4325 article 618351_TVH.
Works consulted: Copying in antiquity - Morten Axboe - Copenhagen 1986, Guldgubber – a Glimpse into the Vendel Period in Lund Archaeological Review 15 (2009) - Sharon Ratke, Figural art of Central and North-West Europe c 550-700AD - Matthias Friedrich - University of York 2016, Vorgeschichte Schwedens In Nordische Vorzeit - Mårten Stenberger - Neumünster 1977.

Origin: Sweden

Medium: Metamorphic stone

Size: Height:6.8cm Width: 7cm

Period: 6th century

Condition: Beautiful conservation, patina

Ref.221