Viking Objects
Anglo-Scandinavian Silver Mount (SWYOR-0201A1)
This silver rectangular mount is decorated with an openwork design consisting of a possible backward-facing animal alongside interlace which may have zoomorphic elements.
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Viking Objects
Copper-Alloy Key (LEIC-931912)
Slide keys such as this example are generally known as ‘Viking keys’ due to similarities in shape with excavated examples. However, its T-shaped projections at the base have no identified parallels but the design could possibly show Anglo-Scandinavian influence. Keys were not only practical items but also symbols of status. Women often carried the keys to the family’s chests of valuables. They also are often buried with keys, representing their authority in the household. See also the blog post on keys in the Viking Age.
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Viking Objects
Globe-Shaped Weight (PUBLIC-D94974)
A globe-shaped copper-alloy weight, with a flat top and bottom each displaying 3 small ring-and-dot motifs. Weights are an important form of evidence for Viking Age commerce and the use of standards across the different economic systems within which Vikings were integrated. Many of the weights discovered, particularly ones in Ireland and those of Arabic type, suggest that a standardized system of weights existed in some areas. These standard weights, alongside standard values of silver, are what allowed the bullion economy of Viking occupied areas to function. A bullion economy was a barter economy that relied on the exchange of set amounts of precious metal in various forms, such as arm-rings or coins, for tradable goods, such as food or textiles. Each merchant would have brought their own set of weights and scales to a transaction to make sure that the trade was conducted fairly.
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Viking Objects
Copper-Alloy Strap-End (DENO-083C15)
This copper-alloy strap-end, classified as Thomas Class E, is decorated with a central openwork lozenge with two perforations within each quarter surrounded by eight circular perforations. Strap ends came in various styles and were fairly common throughout the Viking world. They were used to decorate the ends of belts and to stop them getting damaged.
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Viking Objects
Copper-Alloy Mount Fragment (NLM-92AFEC)
This copper-alloy mount fragment is likely from a horse harness and is decorated with closely-spaced diagonal hatching framing for a zoomorphic openwork design of four battling beasts around a central roundel. The front of the mount contains extensive traces of gilding. The object is considered an example of Irish or Hiberno-Norse metalwork and thus is associated with Viking activities around the Irish Sea region.
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Viking Objects
Urnes-Style Strap-End (LEIC-B46A41)
This fragmentary copper-alloy strap-end is decorated with openwork zoomorphic design in the Urnes style. It has been classified as a Thomas Class G strap-end.
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Viking Objects
Buckle Frame (DENO-98937A)
This copper-alloy buckle frame has a pin rest of zoomorphic form with two widely spaced rounded ears and a rounded snout. It has been classified as a Thomas Class B Type 4 buckle and the decoration is classed as Borre style.
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Viking Objects
Ringerike Buckle (SWYOR-22FFC7)
This cast copper-alloy buckle has some elements of the Ringerike style decorating a broad, flat frame and a narrowed strap bar.
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Viking Objects
Lead Spindle-Whorl (PUBLIC-23FB38)
This lead spindle-whorl is undecorated, with a thick white patina and some patchy brown staining. Fibres were spun into thread using a drop-spindle of which the whorls were made of bone, ceramic, lead or stone and acted as flywheels during spinning.
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Viking Objects
Square Mammen Style Brooch ( LEIC-6AF276)
This small brooch features a bird depicted in the Mammen style. This style of brooch appears to have been produced in the Danelaw but, generally, Mammen-style decoration is rare in Britain. This brooch from Linwood, Lincolnshire, is paralleled by examples from West Stow Heath, Suffolk, and Bergh Apton, Norfolk, but further examples from Cambridgeshire and East Anglia were found in 2015 and 2016. It is a type which has Carolingian-inspired shapes and Scandinavian decoration. Such brooches were an accessory for women who wore Scandinavian dress. For more information on Scandinavian jewellery in England check out our blog: Brooches, Pendants and Pins: Scandinavian Dress Accessories in England.