Scandinavian Viking Silver Mount with Bearded Mask. 7th-9th century A.D. Lobe fragment comprising a raised outer border with punched zigzag ornament, narrow inner border forming a loop around a facing bearded mask with recessed eyes, interstitial zone filled with looses guilloche bands; at upper edge, a triangular cell; solder scar to reverse. Cf. mask on the bronze buckle from Gallungs, Gotland with similar treatment of the eyes, nose and moustache in Franceschi, G., Jorn, A. & Magnus, B., Mennesker, Guder og Masker i Nordisk Jernalderkunst, vol.1, Borgen, 2005, item 62; for the looped frame, see ibid. item 77, animal brooch from Finland of 7th century date. 7.29 grams, 30 mm (1 1/4 in.). From the private collection of N. Thomas, 1979-1987.