Buckets & Barrels

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Completion Rating
This article's completion rating is 2 out of 5. Article structure and content is subject to change as data is still being collected.
Viking Age Compendium articles on Furniture & Storage:
VA House Bucket.JPG
Buckets & Barrels
Viking Age Compendium articles on Furniture & Storage:
VA House Bucket.JPG
Buckets & Barrels


Introduction



Summary by Region

England

Ireland

A number of buckets have been found. As well as those listed on this page we are aware of:
Small Bucket C9th - Co. Antrim, Carnmoney Hill [Comey 2010]:p.8
Small turned bucket - Co. Clare, Derreen. Found inside the Derren bucket [Comey 2010]:p.8

Denmark, Hedeby

Harbour and Settlement

Besides one complete stave constructed bucket (21.8cm high, 27cm diameter) and one complete tub, 259 individual staves, handle staves and "Daubenpassstuecke" (the final, usually smaller stave, used to complete the vessel) were found. These staves would have been from buckets, barrels, tubs and shallow bowls, though most were open topped as only one stave, of 107 with a complete length, had two grooves for a bottom and a lid and was from a small barrel 54cm high. Most of them were made from imported pine and were probably made form the large (2.5m x 0.8m diam.) barrels (as seen on the Bayeux Tapestry), which were also used to line 29 of the town's wells. Oak (65, 29%) and yew (28, 13%) were also used. The staves varied in length from 8.4-88cm, with most falling between 10-30cm, the width ranging 1.7-19.5cm with most between 3-7cm. The thickness ranges from 4-27mm, with most being between 10-15mm. Most buckets were cylindrical with two handle staves opposite each other with holes in the top to take a rope or iron handle. The bottoms ranged in diameter from 10.8-55.8cm with most ranging from 10-30cm. Most bottoms were constructed from Oak (86, 75%) and were made from 2 or 3 planks dowelled together. 63 wooden hoops for fastening around the vessels were found. Most were pine (26, 31%) and yew (23, 27%) but also ash, hazel, willow, alder, fir and maple. Most (41) are semi-circular split branches, but there are also round, oval and square examples. The preserved lengths range from 6.4cm-95.3cm, and the width from 6mm-3.7cm with most between 1-2cm, the thicknesses are between 3-13mm. The ends that overlap eachother had small cuts and then were wrapped with willow bast(3), bark (2) or leather (1). Others (16) were fastened with small nails.

Graves

All of these metal bound buckets were in richly furnished graves.

Metal covered buckets

Stave constructed buckets that were completely covered in decorated metal sheet were found in 3 chamber graves in Hedeby.

  • Chamber grave I: male burial, 50cm diameter, 40cm high, 78.5l volume. The bucket was covered in multiple, overlapping iron sheets which were stamped with a triangle pattern. The iron sheets were originally tinned. They were held in place with triangular section iron hoops. The bucket had 4 rings for carrying.
  • Chamber grave IX: unknown gender 23cm diameter, 21cm high 8.3l volume

Unusually for this type of bucket in the baltic area this one is covered in bronze sheet stamped with a triangle pattern.

  • Chamber grave 2: female, 31cm diameter, 33cm high, 24.9l volume

Also, unusually, covered in bronze sheets with a stamped triangle design which were bound by 6 triangular section iron hoops.

Metal bound buckets

Stave constructed buckets which were bound with simple, narrow triangular cross section iron hoops were found in 8 graves (chamber graves V, VII, VIII, 4, 6, the boot chamber grave, graves 497, 810). They had a volume of up to 20l, except for the boot chamber grave bucket which was a bit bigger (38.5l volume). They all have a iron handle. The boot chamber grave bucket has additional decorative cross shaped fittings and is probably of carolingian origin.

Log buckets

One possible log bucket was found in chamber grave 1. Only 5 rows of iron nails remain, which might have been decorative nails on a hollowed out log bucket.

Norway

"In the Oseberg find we have quite a large brass-bound bucket, apart from 3 other buckets and fragments of 8 others. Similarly, there are 3 barrels... From the other large ship find, the Gokstad find, there are 2 buckets, 1 barrel..."

Old Denmark

For Hedeby see above.

Metal covered buckets: Type C

Stave constructed buckets covered in decorative metal bands.

  • Quern (now Germany) Grave 2/1914: male, 22cm diameter. Fir or pine wood. Covered in iron sheets with a stamped triangular design and iron hoops.
  • Stengade I, grave 3: male grave, 49cm diameter, 38cm, high, 71.7l volume. Covered in iron sheets. 4 iron rings.
  • Rens: male. Covered in iron sheets and iron hoops, iron handle.
  • Broager: male, 25cm diameter. Covered in iron sheets and iron hoops, iron handle
  • Boeklund (now Germany) grave 1: female, 16cm diameter. Pine wood. Covered in iron sheets and iron hoops, and with an iron handle.
  • Suederbarup (now Germany) grave IV: male, 20cm diameter. Covered in iron sheets and iron hoops.
  • Thumby-Bienebek (now Germany): 5 metal covered buckets (Grave K1, K7, K37a, K51, K54). All are covered in iron sheets and with iron hoops. 3 have been determined to be made of fir.
    • K1: male, covered in iron sheets
    • K7: female, 29cm diameter, 27cm high, 17.8l volume. Covered in iron sheets and iron hoops. Iron handle.
    • K37a: 32cm diameter, 33cm high, 25.5l volume made of fir. Covered in iron sheets and hoops. 2 rings
    • K51: female, 21.4cm diameter, <23cm high, <8.3l volume, made of fir. Covered in iron sheets and hoops, iron handle.
    • K54: female 27.3cm diameter, <28.5cm high, <16.7l volume, made of fir. Covered in iron sheets and hoops, iron handle.
  • Longelse grave 2: male, 35cm diameter. Covered in iron sheets.

Sweden

Metal covered buckets

Categorised as a Type C.
On most of the buckts the iron sheets are between 4-6cm wide the iron hoops ~1cm wide.

  • Grave 561: Iron sheets with stamped triangular design, iron hoops
  • Grave 736: Iron sheets with stamped triangular design, iron hoops, vertical iron strips.
  • Grave 644: Iron sheets, iron hoops
  • Grave 791: Iron sheets, iron hoops
  • Grave 624: Iron sheets with stamped triangular design, iron hoops
  • Grave 850: Iron sheets with a stamped cross design. Iron hoops
Arwidsson, Greta (ed.) (1984) Birka II:1 Systematische Analysen der Graberfunde. [Systematic Analysis of the Graves Findings] Birka, Kungliga Vitterhets Historie och Antikvitets Akademien: II:1 p. 237-241


Unique metal covered buckets

Arwidsson, Greta (ed.) (1984) Birka II:1 Systematische Analysen der Graberfunde. [Systematic Analysis of the Graves Findings] Birka, Kungliga Vitterhets Historie och Antikvitets Akademien: II:1 p. 237-241

Stave buckets with wooden hoops

England, York

Bucket -England, York (Morris 2000).jpg
Current Location-
Type- Settlement AD 930-975
Find Date-
Construction-
Dimensions-
Comments-
Bibliography-



Ireland, Dublin

Barrel, Dublin High St. NMI-E71.11220 (L7-1).JPG
Current Location- National Museum of Ireland E71:11220


Ireland, Cloonarragh

Bucket, Cloonarragh C10-11th NMI-1985.35 (L4-3).jpg
Current Location- National Museum of Ireland 1985.35
Type- C10-11th
Find Date-
Construction-
Dimensions-
Comments-
Bibliography-
  • National Museum of Ireland


Ireland,

Bucket, NMI-1932.7261 (L3-1).jpg
Current Location- National Museum of Ireland 1932.7261
Type-
Find Date-
Construction-
Dimensions-
Comments-
Bibliography-
  • National Museum of Ireland


Denmark, Mammen

Example.jpg
Current Location-
Type-
Find Date-
Construction- Oak
Dimensions- H:29.5cm D:29cm
Comments-
Bibliography-



Denmark, Vorbasse

Bucket - Denmark, Vorbasse (V2C).jpg
Current Location-
Type- AD 949
Find Date-
Construction- Ash with willow hoops
Dimensions-
Comments-
Bibliography-



Norway, Oseberg no.18b

Bucket - Norway, Oseberg no.18b Osebergfunn (i) (Universtetsmuseene).jpg
Current Location-  145 1903.18b C55000_19
Type- Grave find
Find Date-
Construction-
Dimensions- H:32.7cm D:24.2cm
Comments- Grieg classes this as a barrel
Bibliography-


Norway, Oseberg no.24

Example.jpg
Current Location-  1903.4
Type- Grave find
Find Date-
Construction-
Dimensions- H:10.5cm
Comments- Made from several staves collected from various parts of the ship.
Bibliography-



Norway, Oseberg no.86

Bucket - Norway, Oseberg no.86 Osebergfunn (i) (Universtetsmuseene).jpg
Current Location-  1904_86 Cf24915_07
Type- Grave find
Find Date-
Construction-
Dimensions-
Comments-
Bibliography-



Norway, Oseberg no.186

Bucket - Norway, Oseberg no.186 (i) (Universtetsmuseene).jpg
Current Location-  1904_186
Type- Grave find
Find Date-
Construction-
Dimensions-
Comments-
Bibliography-



Norway, Oseberg no.298

Bucket - Norway, Oseberg no.298 Osebergfunn (i) Barrel (Greig 1928).jpg
Current Location-  1903.298
Type- Grave find
Find Date-
Construction-
Dimensions-
Comments- Grieg classes this as a barrel
Bibliography-



Norway, Oseberg no.301

Bucket - Norway, Oseberg no.301 Osebergfunn (i) Barrel (Greig 1928).jpg
Current Location-  1903.301
Type- Grave find
Find Date-
Construction-
Dimensions-
Comments- Grieg classes this as a barrel
Bibliography-



Norway, Oseberg no.302

Bucket - Norway, Oseberg no.302 (i) (Universtetsmuseene).jpg
Current Location-  1903.302; Cf24911_07 Cf21868_16


Sweden, Lund

Bucket - Sweden, Lund (VAC).jpg
Current Location-
Type-
Find Date-
Construction- Oak with ash hoops
Dimensions-
Comments-
Bibliography-



Buckets with iron hoops

Denmark, Hedeby

Hedeby Bucket.jpg
Current Location- [[:Category:Hedeby Viking Museum|Hedeby Viking Museum]]
Type- Boat Chamber Burial
Find Date-
Construction- Wooden, iron hoops. Over the hoops are 4 iron crosses made from iron plate and attached with domed rivets, each engraved with 4 crosses. Iron handle.(Arents & Eisenschmidt 2010)
Dimensions- D-top:35cm H:40cm. Metal crosses approx W:25cm, H:18.5cm (Arents & Eisenschmidt 2010)
Comments-
Bibliography-


Buckets with copper-alloy mounts or hoops

According to Petersen most of the buckets with copper-alloy mounts or hoops appear to be insuler in origin [PETERSEN 1940] [PETERSEN 1951].

Ireland, Co. Meath: Clonard

Bucket, Clonard C9th NMI-R.2977 (Tr).jpg
Current Location- National Museum of Ireland R.2977
Type- C9th
Find Date-
Construction-
Dimensions-
Comments-
Bibliography-
  • National Museum of Ireland


Ireland, Co. Galway

Bucket, Co. Galway C8-9th NMI-SA1898.8 (L4-6).JPG
Current Location- National Museum of Ireland SA1898.8
Type- C8-9th
Find Date-
Construction-
Dimensions-
Comments-
Bibliography-
  • National Museum of Ireland


Ireland, Co. Clare: Derren

Bucket, Derreen C8-9th NMI-1941.722 (L4-5).JPG
Current Location- National Museum of Ireland 1941.722
Type- C8-9th
Find Date-
Construction- 15 yew staves.
Dimensions- H:16.8cm
Comments- found with a smaller turned copper-alloy bound bucket inside it.
Bibliography-


Ireland, Co. Louth: River Glyde nr. Annagassan

Bucket, River Glyde C8-9th NMI-R.2978 (L4-4).JPG
Current Location- National Museum of Ireland R.2978
Type- C8-9th
Find Date-
Construction-
Dimensions-
Comments-
Bibliography-
  • National Museum of Ireland


Ireland, Co. Roscommon: Clooneenbaun

Bucket, Clooneenbaun C8-9th NMI-L1986.1 (Tr).JPG
Current Location- National Museum of Ireland L1986.1
Type- C8-9th
Find Date-
Construction-
Dimensions-
Comments-
Bibliography-
  • National Museum of Ireland


Norway, Bronsespann

Bucket brass - Norway, Bronsespann (Petersen 1951).jpg
Current Location-



Norway, Farmen

Bucket brass - Norway, Farmen (Petersen 1940).jpg
Current Location-



Norway, Gloppen

Bucket brass - Norway, Gloppen (Rygh 381).jpg
Current Location-  B 329
Type-
Find Date- Parish of Gloppen NB.
Construction-
Dimensions-
Comments-
Bibliography-



Norway, Holmegaard

Bucket brass - Norway, Holmegaard (Rygh 382).jpg
Current Location-  C 2649
Type-
Find Date- Holmegaard, Holme, LM.
Construction-
Dimensions-
Comments-
Bibliography-



Norway, Klepp

Bucket brass - Norway, Klepp (Petersen 1940).jpg
Current Location-



Norway, Oseberg 157 - Buda Bucket

Bucket brass - Norway, Oseberg 157 'Budda Bucket' (WOV).jpg
Current Location-  1904_157 CfO0467
Type- Grave find
Find Date-
Construction- Yew with copper-alloy hoops. Handle-mounts representing 2 complete human figures.
Dimensions- H:36cm D-top:26.5cm D-bottom:32cm
Comments-
Bibliography-


Norway, Oseberg 146

Bucket brass - Norway, Oseberg no.146 (i)(Universtetsmuseene).jpg
Current Location-
Type- Grave find
Find Date-
Construction- Yew with iron hoops and openwork copper-alloy mountings between. 4 iron carrying rings.
Dimensions- H:44.8cm D-top:39.5cm D-bottom:42cm
Comments-
Bibliography-


Norway, Oseberg no.303

Bucket brass - Norway, Oseberg no.303 (Universetsmuseene).jpg
Current Location- Universitetets Oldsaksamling Oslo 1904_303 Cf24908_03



Sweden Birka

Bucket brass - Sweden Birka (VAC).jpg
Current Location-



Log Buckets

England, York 8923

Example.jpg
Current Location-
Type- AD 850-925
Find Date-
Construction-
Dimensions-
Comments-
Bibliography-



England, York 8924

Example.jpg
Current Location-
Type- AD 975-1050
Find Date-
Construction-
Dimensions-
Comments-
Bibliography-



Ireland, Co. Roscommon: Cloonarragh

Bucket, Cloonarragh C10-11th NMI-1985.36 (L4-3).JPG
Current Location- National Museum of Ireland 1985:36
Type- C10-11th
Find Date-
Construction-
Dimensions-
Comments- Found with 2 other buckets, including the stave bucket 1985:35
Bibliography-
  • National Museum of Ireland


Denmark, Hedeby

Log Bucket -Denmark, Hedeby (Morris 2000).jpg
Current Location-  HbH.216.002
Type- C9th – C11th
Find Date-
Construction-hollowed out log, separate bottom inserted into a notch then bound with willow withies wrapped around 5 times. AT the top there are two longer parts with holes for the attachment of a handle.
Dimensions- height: 248mm diameter: 218mm thickness: 8-18mm
Comments-
Bibliography-


Art

Barrels

  • Bayeux Tapesty
  • Harley Psalter fol. 2v

References

British Museum Website http://www.britishmuseum.org [BRITISH MUSEUM WEBSITE] *
Council of Europe (2003) World of the Vikings. CD-ROM. Alive Learning Ltd. [WOV 2003] *
Graham-Campbell, James (ed.) (1980) Viking Artefacts, A Select Catalogue. British Museum Publications [GRAHAM-CAMPBELL 1980] *
Grieg, Sigurd (1928) Osebergfundet Vol II. [GRIEG 1928] *
Morris, Carole (2000) Wood and Woodworking in Anglo-Scandinavian and Medieval York. York Archaeological Trust: 17/13 [MORRIS 2000] *
Petersen, Jan (1940) British Antiquities of the Viking Period, Found in Norway. Edited by Haakon Shetelig. (Available Online) Viking Antiquities in Great Britain and Ireland: Part 5 [PETERSEN 1940] ^ *
Petersen, Jan (1951) Vikingetidens Redskaper. [PETERSEN 1951] ^ *
Roesdahl, Else, and Wilson, David M. (eds.) (1992) From Viking to Crusader, The Scandinavians and Europe 800-1200. Nordic Council of Ministers. [ROESDAHL & WILSON 1992] *
Rygh, O. (1885) Norske Oldsager. [Norwegian Antiquities]. Christiana. [RYGH 1885] *
Schietzel, Kurt (2014) Spurensuche Haithabu [Searching for the Remains of Hedeby]. [SCHIETZEL 2014] *
Westphal, Florian. (2006) Die Holzfunde von Haithabu. Hedeby-Ausgrabungen in Haithabu [WESTPHAL 2006] *
Williams, Gareth; Pentz, Peter and Wemhoff, Matthias (2014) Vikings. Life and Legend. The British Museum. [WILLIAMS 2014] *