Description
Heading : Viking Bronze / Iron Fire steel horses and riders 9th-10thC
Material: Bronze and iron
Period: Viking/Early Medieval
Date: 9th to 10th century
Origin: Northern Europe to Baltic
Condition: Very fine. with dark patina, some corrosion to iron
Description: An openwork style. bi-facial handle stylised addorsed horses with riders, loop above conjoined heads
Size and Weight: 69mm x 42mm, 35g
Features and Provenance:
Whether at home or on the move, starting a fire was an essential for wellbeing, safety and for cooking. The ability to be able to start a fire was paramount and the method of striking a ‘steel’ has little changed over the millennia, ask any bush crafter. The loop would have allowed it to be worn around the neck or belt, as it was an important piece of equipment, probably up there with sword, shield or comb!
Viking wanderlust made them great traders; they are often maligned as nothing more than Scandinavian thugs, but nothing could be further from the truth. The range of their trade-goods was extensive – and included slaves. Norsemen never referred to themselves as Vikings as it was an old Norse word meaning ‘adventure and trade’. It did however enter English lexicons in the 18th century, but even then it was only meant to refer to ‘a Scandinavian.’
Condition Summary. This varies with the age of the artefact and there are grades between
Extremely Fine (EF). Very slight traces of wear. all parts of pattern etc present. visible and clear
Very Fine (VF). Some signs of wear on the higher parts of the relief. all parts of pattern etc present. but may be worn
Fine (F). Wear on the artefact and parts of item and pattern etc may be missing or not visible
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