{"product_id":"birka-type-oval-brooches-pair","title":"Birka Type Oval Brooches - Pair","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThese oval brooches are based on grave finds from Birka, Sweden, and date from the 9th century. They were worn as a pair, and used to fasten the hangarok: the outer dress layer in women’s clothing, usually with strings of beads hung between them. Oval brooches were worn as a sign of status, and while they may not have been worn in day to day life, they are a distinctive part of the costume of Viking-age women.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThis particular type of oval brooch is a fairly small example, with many contemporary types of oval brooch being much bigger, and heavier. The design features the gripping beast motif, common in Viking-age art of the earlier part of the 9\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e century. The bodies of four of these gripping beasts appear to share two heads at either end of the domed oval shell, with the two heads possibly representing bears, in a form that became more common in the later Borre style of viking art. A central head also appears to have two bodies that grip onto the curved edges of the fields that tie this design back to the more common designs of oval brooches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThese brooches do have a fairly limited historical range, being found in Sweden and the Eastern Baltic, but the peoples of these areas were noted as great travellers and traders, which means that they would not be out of place anywhere that Viking-age Scandinavians gathered and traded in the 9th century, especially as the style of the decoration on these brooches is common across Europe at this time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background: white; mso-highlight: white;\"\u003eThese brooches are cast in pewter, with integral lugs for the pin back. They are suitable for LARP or cosplay in a viking style, for ritual clothing, or banquet dress. They can also be used for historical interpretation or theatre where the clothing style is more important than the materials used. Some re-enactment groups may allow pewter brooches of this style, please check with your AO before ordering.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background: white; mso-highlight: white;\"\u003eThis is the first release of this brooch style, and while we are looking at producing them in copper alloy we will only do so if there is demand. If this is of interest, please email us for details. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background: white; mso-highlight: white;\"\u003eThese brooches are cast by us, in lead free pewter. They weigh approximately 60g per brooch, and measure 6.9cm long, 5.1cm wide, and have a shell depth of 1.75cm. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Asgard","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56486699106684,"sku":"ABR048","price":95.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/6167\/0955\/files\/ABR048Frontpair.jpg?v=1773334952","url":"https:\/\/asgard.scot\/products\/birka-type-oval-brooches-pair","provider":"Asgard","version":"1.0","type":"link"}