Viking Objects
Fish-Tail Pendant (DENO-08A172)
This copper-alloy pendant is in the shape of a symmetrical fish-tail decorated with a ring-and-dot motif around the edge. While the reverse of this object has traces of a silver coating, the front does not, which likely means that the silver coating represents solder used to keep the folded-over loops attached. For more information on Scandinavian jewellery in England check out our blog: Brooches, Pendants and Pins: Scandinavian Dress Accessories in England.
Read More
Viking Objects
Gilded Disc Brooch (NLM-783BCB)
This brooch is classed as Weetch Type 4 and resembles Viking-Age Terslev-style brooches. It is decorated with interlaced double strapwork and a cabled border and retains some traces of gilding. For more information on Scandinavian jewellery in England check out our blog: Brooches, Pendants and Pins: Scandinavian Dress Accessories in England.
Read More
Viking Objects
Northumbrian Penny (NLM-0D491E)
This silver penny was minted in the name of King Eanred of Northumbria. The obverse shows a possibly helmeted and cuirassed individual and reads +EANRE AD RE; the initial cross doubles as X. The reverse reads +CO/ER/[?I]/HO/LI. This particular example was likely brought to Nottinghamshire from Northumbria by means of the Great Army’s overwintering activities in and around Nottingham.
Read More
Viking Objects
Sword Pommel (LEIC-6D2448)
This copper-alloy sword pommel is made up of five lobes and is classed as a Petersen L type VI. Sword pommels were used to counter balance a sword as well as provide a decorative feature. In many cases they are the only method of identifying sword typologies.
Read More
Viking Objects
Copper-Alloy Toilet Implement (LIN-756E6A)
This early medieval socketed anthropomorphic object possibly depicts the Norse god Odin, who wears a bird-headed helmet or headdress. This object belongs to a group of similar figurines, all with bird-headed helmets or headdresses, which have been found in England, Sweden, Gotland, Denmark, Russia, and Belgium. Evidence from cemeteries demonstrates this type of object is strongly associated with women, and is probably an import from Sweden dating to the later seventh century, demonstrating contacts with Scandinavia before the Viking Age. While the exact function of this object remains unclear, parallels suggest it is perhaps a toilet implement.
Read More
Item
Trefoil Brooch (LEIC-BD8163)
Trefoil brooches were characteristically Scandinavian women’s wear. However, many examples found in the East Midlands were probably made in the Danelaw, and may have been copies of Scandinavian styles, instead of being imported from Scandinavia. The decoration on this example features a foliate design. For more information on Scandinavian jewellery in England check out our blog: Brooches, Pendants and Pins: Scandinavian Dress Accessories in England.
Read More
Viking Objects
Scabbard Chape (NLM-5BD697)
The incomplete openwork tongue-shaped front plate of this chape is decorated with at least six asymmetrical apertures and resembles similar chapes with ‘Birka Falcon’ decoration.
Read More
Viking Objects
Zoomorphic Mount (DENO-7E523C)
This example of a copper-alloy openwork zoomorphic mount, strap fitting or harness fitting, is decorated with the head of an animal in profile.
Read More
Viking Objects
Lead-Alloy Gaming Piece (LEIC-F39697)
This and similar pieces have also been interpreted as weights although the gaming-piece interpretation is more secure. Pieces like this would have been used to play hnefatafl and/or Nine Men’s Morris, both of which are known to have been played in Scandinavia in the Viking Age.
Read More
Viking Objects
Rune Inscribed Rib (LCNCC : 1999.103.104)
Runes were used not only for monumental inscriptions, or to mark ownership of valuable objects, but also in more informal contexts. In this case the animal bone suggests an after-dinner pastime after a good meal in the Anglo-Scandinavian trading centre of Lincoln. The runes read ——l × hitir × stin × … Only two words of the Old Norse inscription can be read with certainty, and even so they are ambiguous. One possible interpretation is ‘[someone] is heating a stone’ the other is ‘[someone] is called Stein’. The bone is fragmentary, but the inscription may never have been intended to make much sense. The object dates from around the 10th century. It is one of only three runic inscriptions from the East Midlands.
Read More
Viking Objects
Trefoil Brooch (LEIC-A43E83)
Trefoil brooches were characteristically Scandinavian women’s wear. However, many examples found in the East Midlands were probably made in the Danelaw, and may have been copies of Scandinavian styles, instead of being imported from Scandinavia. This example was found near Lincoln. For more information on Scandinavian jewellery in England check out our blog: Brooches, Pendants and Pins: Scandinavian Dress Accessories in England.