10th century AD. A matched pair of iron stirr, each a long lozenge-section arch with rhomboid-shaped finial and side bosses to each end of the dished footplate, attachment panel above with rectangular slot for the leather strap; very fine condition, professionally cleaned, conserved and restored. Cf. Hjardar, K. and Vike, V., Vikings at war, Oxford-Philadelphia, 2016, pl. p.155; Seaby, W.A. & Woodfield P., ‘Viking stirr from England and their Background’ in Journal of The Society for Medieval Archaeology, 1980, pp.87-122, figs.1,9. 836 grams total, 22cm each (8 1/2"). Property of a London binessman, from his grandfather's collection formed after World War II; thence by descent 1972. The stirr correspond to the type 2Cii of the Seaby and Woodfield classification, and are very similar to the ones found in the famo warrior grave of Gjermundbu. The side bosses, characteristic of this typology, might be explained either as a rivetted junction where the tread is an integral part of the stirrup, the opposite knob being added for symmetry, or as an interpretation in iron of the projecting ends of a wooden tread inserted in a leather sling. [2, No Reserve]