Simple facts
Name: Hornelund Brooches
What it is: 2 gold clothes brooch
Hometown: Walde, Southwest Jatland (Denmark)
When it was made: the early 11th century
These two brooches were part of a small reservoir discovered in the southwestern part of Denmark along with a ring of gold arms. Going back to the Viking period (793-1066 AD), the brooches are decorated with delicately curved ornamental wires.
According to a 1994 study by Varde Museum curator Lene Frandsen, each gold brooch is approximately 3.3 inches (8.5 cm) in diameter and weighs between 2.1 and 2.6 ounces (60 to 75 grams). The brooch design includes examples of both Scandinavian and Christian art, according to the National Museum of Danish, where accessories are on display.
One brooch contains four positive animal heads in Scandinavian style, suggesting that they were made locally by Denmark or Viking Goldsmith. Other brooches have leaves and grapes that could lead to Christianity as grapevine was used in early Christian art to describe Jesus as the idea of “the true vine of life” and resurrection.
You might like it
During the Vikings, Jatland was Goldsmith’s advanced centre. Yet, the Hornland brooch is “completely unique in the Danish jewelry collection,” archaeologist Wwadisroh Dotzco wrote in a 1987 study. Some similar brooches were found in Sweden, so some may have been made for export. And Jutland’s goldsmiths may have gotten decoration ideas from jewellers in Slavic countries like Estonia, Dutzko wrote.
Related: Meskalamdug Helmet: One of the oldest helmets in the world depicts the bread of a prince of Mesopotamian
More amazing artifacts
However, Hornland’s brooches are still somewhat mystical today. They were recovered in 1892 by the servant who had plowed the fields of his landlord. Historical records show that the landowner handed over the reservoir to the National Museum of Danish, and paid 295 Danish clones.
However, the farm was not archaeologically investigated at the time, so recent excavations there have not been any new information about hoarding, according to Frandsen. Therefore, experts still don’t know if the gems came from graves, houses, or a cash of wealth that was rushed to fill up. They hope that one day the excavation will provide more clues to the meaning of Hornland’s storage.
Source link
