Viking Designs
Drawing of an Urnes-Style Mount
A drawing of a cast copper alloy sword fitting with Urnes-style decoration.
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Viking Objects
Carolingian Trefoil Mount (LEIC-C5F14A)
This Carolingian trefoil mount has holes drilled through it for affixing to a surface, possibly a book. It is likely to have been brought from the European continent by Viking raiders or traders.
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Viking Objects
Gilded Mount (1989-59/7591)
A gilded copper-alloy mount with approximately eight projecting pierced lugs. The mount was found in three pieces and is incomplete. It may originally have been domed, but most of the dome is missing. It has been suggested that it was a shield boss.
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Viking Objects
Urnes-Style Mount (LIN-FA6943)
This copper-alloy mount features Urnes-style openwork decoration.
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Viking Objects
Irish Gilded Mount (LEIC-09D1C8)
This fragment of a gilded copper-alloy mount is roughly T-shaped, and has a raised border around a panel of chip-carved interlace which has traces of gilding. It is possible that it made its way to England prior to Viking incursions but it is equally likely that the Vikings brought this brooch with them as plunder after raiding various areas in Ireland.
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Viking Objects
Gilded Mount (LEIC-127138)
This mount is decorated with rope-like raised decoration, flanked by a plain raised edge. The centre of the mount is decorated with a raised ‘saltaire’ cross. Above and below this cross are semi-circular projections which form the upper part of human face masks which face each other. The remainder of the upper surface is filled with loose ‘chip carved’ interlace. The whole upper surface has patches of gilding, suggesting it originally covered the whole surface. It is possible that it made its way to England prior to Viking incursions but it is equally likely that the Vikings brought this brooch with them as plunder after raiding various areas in Ireland.
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Viking Objects
Anglo-Scandinavian Mount (NLM-491EBD)
This copper-alloy mount is decorated with an openwork plate interlace ornamentation in possible Borre style.
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Viking Objects
Dragon’s Head Mount (L.A67.1864.1.0)
This mount from Leicester is in the form of a dragon’s head and is thought to be Scandinavian work. The base of the head is extended, slotted and necked as though for a hinge. There are green stains suggesting that it was attached to an item of copper or bronze. Mounts were generally used to decorate various items such as belts or pouches. In this case, it may have been a fitting for a knife. Mounts were usually attached to items by hammering over the metal studs on the back of the mount.
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Viking Objects
Stamped Copper-Alloy Casket Mount (NLM-9B6A0B)
A stamped copper alloy casket mount found decorated with stamped ring and dot pattern decoration. Ring and dot pattern was found to be diagnostic of early medieval occupation at Cottam in the East Riding of Yorkshire, and this provides dating evidence for this piece.
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Viking Designs
Drawing of a Carolingian Trefoil Mount
Drawing of a copper alloy and gilded Carolingian mount with niello inlay found in Leicestershire. The mount has holes drilled through it for affixing to a surface, possibly a book, or perhaps to repurpose it as a pendant.
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Viking Objects
Enamelled Irish Mount (LIN-9BCF25)
This item is a fragment of an Irish Early Medieval enamelled copper-alloy mount or strap-end. It is decorated with a rectangular perimeter of reserve metal which forms a ‘T’ shape. The recessed areas around and within it appear to contain degraded enamel. It is possible that it made its way to England prior to Viking incursions but it is equally likely, especially considering the Viking presence at Torksey, that the Vikings brought this mount with them as plunder after raiding various areas in Ireland.