Felt animal masks
From The Viking Age Compendium
A woollen felt sheep or cow mask possibly worn with a hood and a body warmer.
Art
- Norway. Oseburg Tapesty (----) Possible woman in a boar mask (HAGG 1984, p.186)
- Sweden
- Kungsangen (----) Two men, one in a horned helm, the other in a wolf mask (HAGG 1984, p.186)
- Torslunda, Öland (c.600AD) A bronze die showing Woden with twin-dragon headgear followed by a wolf-warrior drawing his sword. (SPEIDEL 2004, p.28)
- England. Fen Drayton, Cambs.(C7th) Human figure with the head of a wolf. http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/133560
Literature
- Gríma: a mask attached to a hooded cloak or a hooded body warmer [?]
Archaeology
- Hedeby, Denmark. 1 complete sheep mask and 1 possible cow mask (HAGG 1984, p.69-70; 185)
Discussion
Hagg states that the felt animal masks found at Hedeby may possibly have been attached to a hood. They may have been worn in battle along with a body warmer (HAGG 1984, p.69-70; 185)
Ringquist makes the suggestion that the wolf masks worn by the C7th figures may derive from the Roman standard bearers who covered their helms in a wolf skin. (RINGQUIST 1967)