Viking “Box” Brooch from Gotland

30.00 € – 36.00 €

Curious scandinavian brooch with the shape of a box. Dated from the 8th-9th centuries.

It presents zoomorphic styled decoration. These motifs, which represent long animal bodies, small heads in profile with bulging eyes, are characterisic of the artistic art called “E”, which encompass the archaeological finds from Broa (Gotland, Sweden) and the Oseberg ship burial (Norway).

In this case, the interlaced “snakes” in Broa style also reminds to the later Jelling style (9th-10th centuries), so one might think that it could be a transitional style between both artistic styles.

These kind of brooches were a very important part of the garments of the woman of the Viking Era. Due to its position on the grave, is thought that they were used to close a cloak or coat.

It’s hand made of bronze.

Measures: 4.5 cm diameter x 1 cm high.