Horse shaped brooch
in silver or bronze

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

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

Click picture below
for details

The original from early Viking age (8 - 900 AD) is cast in bronze and found near the Viking town Kaupang. The horse at a canter with a curved neckline is typical for a family of north European horse figures from approx. 7 - 800 AD or the entrance to the Viking age.

The horse is an important symbol in the Viking mythology, blood and meat from horse was often used during religious celebrations. The horse sometimes followed its owner in the grave. Horse figures were used as amulets for their magic powers, this buckle may have had such a magic function.

Copies of the brooch are made in bronze (like the original) and in silver.