Celtic Moment

The Vikings were a brave people whose history is recorded from around 800 AD. Initially from the Scandinavian countries of Norway, Sweden and Denmark they later influenced the area from Asia to as far as America for around 200 years. They later settled in Britain, France and Russia. An interesting aspect of the Vikings was that they were most particular about their appearance despite their poor sanitary conditions. Their critical attention to their dresses and fashion was reflected in the colorful clothes that they wore. Their women spun these from wool. Vikings were skilled in arts and the crafts too. York or Jorvik in England bears witness to the artistry of the Vikings even in ordinary articles like the sledge, the humble bucket or the comb. They were evidently skilled in the making, shaping and treating of metals and their alloys. Their interest in their appearance and their skill with metals were soon observed in Viking jewelry.

Since jewelry was an indicator of their wealth and social standing the Vikings showed off their status by wearing exquisite earrings, necklaces, broaches on cloaks and bracelets. The Vikings also used jewelry as barter in place of money. Even their swords were carved and engraved with gold and silver motifs. Today’s museum jewelry confirms of a fine 800 AD filigree Viking jewelry. However, most Viking jewelry is exceedingly heavy like a neck ring but some fine workmanship is also evident like the granulation work involving metal grains. There is also 1000 AD jewelry of the Vikings in bronze with motifs of a double horse head. A beautiful bronze arm ring worn by the Vikings was located in Gotland, Sweden.

Today, authentic copies of Viking jewelry can be ordered. These are essentially reproductions from museum jewelry of Norway, Sweden and Denmark. You can buy a set of Viking earrings with Knottet pattern from the 8th/9th centuries or a bracelet with Viking Runes or alphabets in sterling silver from around 750 AD. A set of diamond shaped earrings is especially attractive.

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