Oseberg style brooch

Jewelry from Kaupang
--- the first Viking town in Norway

All rights:
University museum
of cultural heritage ©
Oslo, Norway

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for details

The brooch is one of the most spectacular finds at Kaupang and is a fine example of the special artistic style of art in the early Viking age 7 - 800 AD. The viking artists distanced themselves from the European heritage and developed their own unique style over time. The characteristic gripping beast plays a central role in the unique Viking age art.

The original cast in bronze was found in the Viking town Kaupang near Larvik, south in Norway. In early Oseberg style, it is a stylized and artistic design of an animal figure similar to one on an Oseberg sledge found in the Oseberg Queen's Viking ship grave nearby. The likeness with wooden Oseberg artefacts indicates local production. The brooch is broken (can be seen) and repaired with a sheet on the back (not shown on the copy). It has probably been used to hold a coat together.

Copies are made in bronze (like the original) and in silver. Width is 72 mm, weight is 30 grams, thus it is most suitable on a coat or anything in heavier material.