Viking Early Medieval Era, Mordvinia Type Brooch, 12th Century

Description

Material: Bronze

Period: Viking/Early Medieval

Date: c11th to 12th century

Origin: Northern Europe with Russian influences

Condition: VF. brown patina

Description: Penannular omega brooch with long solid triangular flanges. simple line pattern to top of flanges. pin in place to annular area

Size and Weight: 58mm x 26mm. 14g

Features and Provenance: This type of brooch. also known as an omega brooch would probably have been worn on the shirt at the neck or to attach other lighter garments. These brooches evolved to become quite elaborate. with dangling springs from the edges.  In this late Viking period their coins demonstrated Russian and Byzantine influences. Viking wanderlust made them great traders they are often maligned as nothing more than Scandanavian thugs but nothing could be further from the truth. Their trade goods were however quite extensive. including slavery. Norseman never called themselves Vikings. it was an old Norse word meaning ‘adventure and trade.’ it did however. enter the English dictionary in the 18th century but even then only meant ‘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