🔎 UNIDENTIFIED Viking Bronze amulet....

[Jbenson]

I was told that this is a Viking amulet. A friend got this years ago. Any idea what that is or what it was used for? Any idea of age? Thanks

 

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[Madmox]

I am by no means an expert, let me start with that, I only know what I have read. But a lot of artifacts very similar to that, described as viking artifacts come from the upper Volga river region of Russia when Slavic tribes settled along its upper reaches. As I understand it, Those amulets on chains were commonly worn because it was believed that the chiming and jangling as you walked and moved would ward off evil spirits.

 

[Madmox]

And it may likely be from the middle ages.

 

[Hawks88]

Very interesting find. Good info Madmox.

 

[A2coins]

Wow that's old very cool Good ID

 

[A2coins]

Welcome also from Mi Tommy

 

[smokeythecat]

Madmox, good info. It's nice whatever it is. Too many relics, not enough time to read all the books on them.

 

[Reanm8er]

Shield Maiden's earing! LOL

Nice find and welcome J. I expect the guys above have it right.

Best wishes!

 

[Gene Mean]

Beautiful. I would wear it if it was me. Good luck. Or maybe bad?

 

[billb]

It’s a great find. Congratulations

 

[GoldieLocks]

I was told that this is a Viking amulet. A friend got this years ago. Any idea what that is or what it was used for? Any idea of age? Thanks

The metal chain wouldn't be worn nor wouldn't have been invented at the time of Vikings. I believe it is likely one side of a bell that doors ring when customers come into stores Circe 1890-1935?

 

[Red-Coat]

The metal chain wouldn't be worn nor wouldn't have been invented at the time of Vikings.

Completely incorrect. The Vikings had multiple chain types for jewellery use... from simple ring chains, through those with complex links, to wire-weave. Lots of examples at the link below:

Chains and necklaces - Vikings Wiki

wiki.vikingsonline.org.uk

I wouldn't have a problem seeing it as Viking-era (although there's no easy way to tell from the photographs) and I would think it more likely to be one end of a cloak chain rather then a pendant. It looks to be styled as a shield boss, which wouldn't be uncommon symbology. If you look halfway down the page at the above link there's something similar, albeit a more elaborate high status item in silver with a quality of chain which reflects its status.


Picture from Jeppe Christensen under creative commons licence http://mis.historiska.se/mis/sok/fid.asp?fid=109241&g=1

 

[CREATURE850]

I was told that this is a Viking amulet. A friend got this years ago. Any idea what that is or what it was used for? Any idea of age? Thank

The metal chain wouldn't be worn nor wouldn't have been invented at the time of Vikings. I believe it is likely one side of a bell that doors ring when customers come into stores Circe 1890-1935?

It could be viking,they did have chainmail and that's what it looks like the chain is made from.my family originated from vikings,I've been searching everything I can on my family history.

 

[CRUSADER]

I am by no means an expert, let me start with that, I only know what I have read. But a lot of artifacts very similar to that, described as viking artifacts come from the upper Volga river region of Russia when Slavic tribes settled along its upper reaches. As I understand it, Those amulets on chains were commonly worn because it was believed that the chiming and jangling as you walked and moved would ward off evil spirits.

I agree, 'if' it's Viking era, it's not from Britain.