Is the silver figurine from Lejre representing Odin? Freya? Or perhaps a völva, a Viking sorceress? Many interpretations have been put forward
Tag: freya
Freyja from Revinge
An exquisite tiny silver figurine from the Viking Age, newly found, sheds light on the dresses of Viking Women in the 9th century
A few months ago a tiny silver figurine was found on the Island of Funen by a man with a metal-detector. Immediately called ‘The Revinge-Woman’ after the spot, where she was found, soon found her way into the hearts of the archaeologists. Not only is she sensational, she is also lovely! The figurine estimated to be from the 9th century is tiny and measures no more than 4,6 cm. She is made of solid silver and afterwards gilded. While her body is flat, the head is three-dimensional. In the back of her head small holes signify, that she has been worn as an amulet. She is wearing a dress and jewels, which are very delicately wrought and which presents details, not known from graves Her hair, which has been parted in the middle, is tightly pulled back and twisted into a bun. Around her neck she carries what looks like a massive string of pearls or a golden necklace. Perhaps her arms are covered in golden rings too. Or perhaps the arms of her dress were pleated, as might also have been the case with the body of her dress. Around her waist she carries a belt, fastened by a three-foil brooch. In Viking graves these brooches are usually found on the breasts of the dead women, but here it is used to pull her dress together at the waist. From the waist hang delicately wrought belt-straps. Beneath her dress delicate feet peep out. Due to the position of her hands in front of her tummy, she is believed to represent the goddess Freyja, responsible for love, lust, beauty, sorcery, fertility and gold. According to Norse Mythology she is said to own Brísingamen, a fabulous torque or necklace, made by dwarfs. Brísingamen is also mentioned in Beowulf, who receives something like it as a gift from Wealtheow, the queen of Denmark after he has killed Grendel. (Verses 1190 – 1200 [1])
Silver Valkyrie
Other silverfigurines from the same time – for instance the unique silver Valkyrie, presently (summer 2014) exhibited at the British Museum at the Viking exhibition – are of app. the same size. This Valkyrie measures 3.5 cm and was found in Hårby, also on the island of Funen in 2013. It shows a female warrior complete with sword and shield. Her hair, though, is flowing down from a bun and her dress looks different. She also seems to carry a long necklace around her throat. The two figurines were found app. 50 km apart. The Silver newly found figurine may be seen at the The Viking Museum Ladby on the Island of Funen, Denmark, during summer 2014.
SOURCE:
Ekstraordinært fund: Forgyldt sølvfigur fra 800-tallet [Extraordinary find: Gilded silver-figurine from the 9th century]
NOTES:
[1]
The cup was carried to him, kind words
spoken in welcome and a wealth of wrought gold
graciously bestowed: Two arm bangles, a mail-shirt and rings; and the most resplendent
torque of gold I have ever heard tell of
anywhere on earth or under heaven.
The was no hoard like it since Hama Snatched
the Brosings’ neck-chain and bore it away
(p. 85, verses 1191 – 1198)
From:
Beowulf. A New Verse Translation.
By Seamus Heaney
New York, Farrar, Straus and Geroux 2000