![]() The Vikings began systematic raiding from the 750s CE, and it remained an important part of Viking culture and economic activity for two-hundred years – at the same time, they struck up fruitful trading relationships with others, most profitably the Islamic states around the Mediterranean. It’s important to realise that trading and raiding stemmed from the same technological and social impetuses : the status associated with exotic goods, the pressures of demographic growth on comparatively poor agricultural land, and forms of inheritance that meant you ended up with lots of bored kids getting under your feet. Their technological innovations of large, flat-bottomed longboats that could navigate a long way up shallow rivers, combined with the use of sail, meant that suddenly the coastlines of Europe and the Mediterranean were suddenly at their fingertips. They emerged at the end of a period of European history called the Migration Period, where (spoilers) lots of European peoples moved around as the Roman Empire fragmented and withdrew. It’s only by having this understanding of who the Vikings were (and why they were like that) that we can understand their jewellery. But that’s like saying that everyone from Liverpool is a member of the Beatles – the Vikings were an enormously diverse group of peoples, the vast majority of whom were not vikingr raiders farmers, shepherds, colonists, traders, craftworkers and skalds. Without doubt, there were many Vikings in Northern Europe in the High Middle Ages who were big hairy warriors with a penchant for ultraviolence. With such a stunning Nordic Viking pendant for sale, the possibilities are limitless. Its deep other-worldly connotations make it perfect for a historically accurate re-enactment impression of an Icelandic goði (Norse priest), or it could be the perfect superstitious talisman to complete a LARP outfit of a Norse-inspired Dark Ages berserker. ![]() As an art object in itself, it is an item of rare beauty – but it is as an accessory for a LARP outfit or re-enactment costume that it can really shine. It is affixed at two points to a delicate but strong sterling silver chain with a secure modern clasp to finish this beautiful silver Nordic pendant necklace. 925 silver) has been used for our Urnes Norse Pendant as the best historical analogue for Viking silver. Therefore, sterling silver (also known as. They knew that this would produce more resilient jewellery that would not bend and break under everday use, and that was critical for hard working, hard fighting and hard partying peoples. ![]() The Vikings were cunning mentalsmiths with a detailed knowledge of the properties of metals, and many of the hoards of Viking silver jewellery we have found have been alloyed with copper at around 90% purity. Sterling silver has been chosen as the material for this Norse Viking pendant. Such powerful symbology can be a ward of the afterlife – or a swift ride to the eternal glory of Valhalla. It features two abstract horses, back-to-back: through tales of famous horses such as Sleipnir, the eight-legged horse of Odin, the Vikings saw horses as spiritual shamans, a gateway between the worlds of the living and the dead. Our Urnes Norse Pendant uses the animalistic symbolism of the ‘Urnes Style’, which developed in the cultural melting pot of the High Viking Age, as traders and vikingrs brought wares and art objects from across the whole of the known world. Their master-jewellers have taken the mystical naturalism from the zenith of late-Viking art and culture, and distilled it into a unique hand-crafted pendant. ![]() One of the giant builders, Hrimthursar made a proposal to construct an impenetrable wall around Asgard only in three years.As well as producing the finest arms and armour, Darksword Armory’s best kept secret is their period-inspired historical jewellery. It happened just after the war between the Aesir and the Vanir was over, but Asgard, the Kingdom of the Norse Gods still needed to be protected more permanently. The horse was the extraordinary offspring of a stallion, Svadilfari, and the trickster of Asgard, Loki, who shapeshifted into a mare, to give birth to a magical Sleipnir. Gold pendant of Odin and Slepnir Image credit: Bengt Nordqvist When Balder died, Odin’s son Hermod rode Sleipnir to the death goddess, Hel to try to gain his brother back to the world of the living.īut how did this marvelous creature come to existence? Sleipnir was born under some very special circumstances. Sleipnir accompanied Odin wherever he went. The fastest of all horses and never tired Sleipnir, could carry Odin through the sky, over lands and seas, and to one of the nine worlds, Helheim, the Abode Of The Dead and back.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |