Amulets
More Necklaces pages
Thor's Hammers
Valkyrie and other Human Amulets
Valkyrie and other Human Amulets
Miniature Weapons
Miniature axes
Archaeology
Discussion
Miniature spears
Archaeology
Discussion
Miniature swords
Archaeology
Discussion
Other animal figurines
Archaeology
Discussion
Snake figurines [V/F]
Archaeology
(JENSEN 2010, p.37-39)
- England, 1 find of jet
- Ireland, 3 finds, 2 of wood, 1 of stone
- Denmark, 4 finds, 1 of copper alloy, 2 of silver, 1 unknown, 1 from a woman’s grave
- Norway, 4 finds, 1 of copper alloy, 1 of silver, 1 of gold, 1 of jet, 3 from women’s graves
- Sweden, 3 finds of silver, 2 found in women’s graves
Discussion
Miniature shields [V/F]
Archaeology
(JENSEN 2010, p.49-51)
- Denmark, 23 finds, 11 of copper alloy,11 of silver, 1 of unknown
- Norway, 2 finds, 1 of copper alloy, 1 of silver, 1 from a woman’s grave
- Scania (Sweden), 4 finds of silver
- Sweden, 38 finds, 1 of copper alloy, 37 of silver, 18 from women’s grave
- Gotland (Sweden), 6 finds, 3 of copper alloy, 3 of silver (ARWIDSSON 1989, p.9-18)
- Russia, 7 finds
- Arland (Finland), 1 find
Discussion
Arwidsson has described the finds from Birka: 16 were found all of silver. 15 from women’s graves and one from a child’s grave. Dated to the mid C10th to mid C11th. 8 were found between oval brooches and 5 as part of bead necklaces. They seem to be a Swedish / Danish item and are interpreted as symbolic miniature shields always with a clockwise whorl. Some even have signs that the makers have tried to incorporate a shield grip on the reverse. (ARWIDSSON 1989, p.9-18) (ARBMAN 1940, pl.97)
Bowls, sieves and spoons
Bowls [V/F]
Archaeology
(JENSEN 2010)
- Denmark, 2 finds of silver, 1 from a woman’s grave
- Norway, 8 finds of gold all from Hoen hoard
- Sweden, 12 finds, 10 of silver, 2 of lead, 9 from women’s graves
- Gotland, 2 finds of silver
Discussion
Sieves
Archaeology
(JENSEN 2010)
- Norway, 4 finds, 3 of gold from the Hoen hoard, 1 of silver
- Sweden, 1 find of silver
- Gotland, 5 finds, 2 of copper alloy, 3 of silver
Discussion
Spoons
Archaeology
(JENSEN 2010)
- Gotland, 2 finds, 1 of copper alloy, 1 of silver
Discussion
Chairs [V]
Archaeology
(JENSEN 2010, p.58-61)
- Denmark, 5 finds of silver, 2 found in woman’s graves, C10th
- Gotland, 6 finds, 2 of copper alloy, 2 of silver, 2 of amber, 1 from a male grave, c.1000AD
- Sweden, 5 finds, 4 of silver, 3 from women’s graves, c.750-975AD
Discussion
Miniature wheels [V]
Silver or copper alloy
Archaeology
(JENSEN 2010, p.63)
- Denmark, 4 finds of copper alloy, 750-1100AD
- Skane, 1 find of silver, C10th
- Norway, 2 finds, 1 of copper alloy, 1 of silver, C10th
- Sweden, 3 finds, 1 of copper alloy, 2 of silver, 2 found in women’s graves, 750-975AD
Discussion
Dated by Jensen to 900-950AD. (JENSEN 2010, p.63)
Capsules and “scare-men”
Archaeology
Discussion
Staff-rings
Archaeology
Discussion
Miniature sickles and scythes
Archaeology
Discussion
Crosses
Archaeology
Discussion
Strike-a-lights
Archaeology
Discussion
(ROESDAHL and WILSON, From Viking to Crusader, The Scandinavians and Europe 800-1200 1992)
Legs
Archaeology
Discussion
Lunulae
Archaeology
Discussion
Anchors
Shaped as an anchor. All are made from lead.
Archaeology
- 10 from Hedeby, unknown date but must be between 806-1066AD
- 1 from York, after 860AD
Discussion
Jensen makes a case for this style of pendent being a Hedeby local tradition. (JENSEN 2010)
Reference
<nocite> JENSEN2010 PAS </nocite> <biblio force=false>#Template:Bib</biblio>
