When we think about Vikings, we don’t normally think about jewelry. Or at least, we likely don’t think about any jewelry other than oath ring bracelets and “torques” as they are sometimes known to those historically minded enthusiasts among us. Truth is, jewelry was a huge part of Viking life, and for good reason! As a matter of fact, we’ve actually worked hard to (legally) obtain a few Viking-Age pieces for ourselves because of just how important Viking jewelry really was to the Vikings and their lifestyle.
When we think about Vikings, we don’t normally think about jewelry. Or at least, we likely don’t think about any jewelry other than oath ring bracelets and “torques” as they are sometimes known to those historically minded enthusiasts among us. Truth is, jewelry was a huge part of Viking life, and for good reason! As a matter of fact, we’ve actually worked hard to (legally) obtain a few Viking-Age pieces for ourselves because of just how important Viking jewelry really was to the Vikings and their lifestyle.
When we think about Vikings, we don’t normally think about jewelry. Or at least, we likely don’t think about any jewelry other than oath ring bracelets and “torques” as they are sometimes known to those historically minded enthusiasts among us. Truth is, jewelry was a huge part of Viking life, and for good reason! As a matter of fact, we’ve actually worked hard to (legally) obtain a few Viking-Age pieces for ourselves because of just how important Viking jewelry really was to the Vikings and their lifestyle.
You may not know this, cause, why would you really need to in a world of Starbucks and Walmarts, but metal is pretty important. Metal is used in everything from cans of BANG and WhiteClaw to the concrete-filled posts that keep someone from ramming their Silverado through the glass storefront of Best Buy.
Buildings are made of it. Highways are reinforced with it. The electricity you use and the water you drink flows through it. It can be mined, smelted, milled, pressed, forged, or poured. It is the most versatile material we have at our disposal (other than plastic), and it is all around us!
Interestingly enough though, it is rare for anyone in today’s age to even know how to get it out of the ground, or what it looks like in its unrefined state, much less how to refine it. It’s funny that metal is fundamental to our society and daily life, yet only a select few really even know what to do with it. The Vikings certainly did though!
You may not know this, cause, why would you really need to in a world of Starbucks and Walmarts, but metal is pretty important. Metal is used in everything from cans of BANG and WhiteClaw to the concrete-filled posts that keep someone from ramming their Silverado through the glass storefront of Best Buy.
Buildings are made of it. Highways are reinforced with it. The electricity you use and the water you drink flows through it. It can be mined, smelted, milled, pressed, forged, or poured. It is the most versatile material we have at our disposal (other than plastic), and it is all around us!
Interestingly enough though, it is rare for anyone in today’s age to even know how to get it out of the ground, or what it looks like in its unrefined state, much less how to refine it. It’s funny that metal is fundamental to our society and daily life, yet only a select few really even know what to do with it. The Vikings certainly did though!
If something is useful, most people would say that it has value. In anthropology however, there are different types of ‘value.’ Metals like iron, copper, and bronze are certainly functional and utilitarian. They were used to make instruments, like knives, swords, chisels, mauls, cups, spoons, and even mirrors. These metals and those like them are then said to have “Instrumental Value.”
You may not know this, cause, why would you really need to in a world of Starbucks and Walmarts, but metal is pretty important. Metal is used in everything from cans of BANG and WhiteClaw to the concrete-filled posts that keep someone from ramming their Silverado through the glass storefront of Best Buy.
Buildings are made of it. Highways are reinforced with it. The electricity you use and the water you drink flows through it. It can be mined, smelted, milled, pressed, forged, or poured. It is the most versatile material we have at our disposal (other than plastic), and it is all around us!
Interestingly enough though, it is rare for anyone in today’s age to even know how to get it out of the ground, or what it looks like in its unrefined state, much less how to refine it. It’s funny that metal is fundamental to our society and daily life, yet only a select few really even know what to do with it. The Vikings certainly did though!
If something is useful, most people would say that it has value. In anthropology however, there are different types of ‘value.’
But what about other materials that can’t really be made into things like weapons or armor? What about silver, gold, and platinum? Sure we use them in plenty of things today. Any one of these metals could be found in your computer or cellphone, due to their integration into microchips and semi-conductors. But back in the day, there were no Pentiums being pumped out. There really was nothing more functional about gold or silver. Maybe they were easier to hammer and shape than brass, bronze, or iron, but they certainly weren’t more functional as tools.
These metals were pretty, and were used to make pretty things. More than that… they were rare! This meant that if you had gold or silver, you had something that not everyone had, and that made it desirable (this is an extreme generalization of the theory).
But what about other materials that can’t really be made into things like weapons or armor? What about silver, gold, and platinum? Sure we use them in plenty of things today. Any one of these metals could be found in your computer or cellphone, due to their integration into microchips and semi-conductors. But back in the day, there were no Pentiums being pumped out. There really was nothing more functional about gold or silver.
This meant that these “precious” metals were more of a resource than an instrument, imbuing them with “Resource Value.”
Now, if you actually read the section above, you know that metals could be tools (instruments) or resources, but there is a few more fine lines that we have to draw before we can really understand why the Vikings were the most bad-ass jewelers to ever sail the seven seas.
We may think of our money as a resource, but that is a bit of a miss when it comes to looking at money from a cultural perspective. We say someone has great resources when we mean that they have access to a lot of cash, but we also say that someone is really resourceful when they can make do with very little, or figure out how to use what they have on-hand instead of some custom product or tool. It’s the second use of “resource” that the Vikings used.
If something is useful, most people would say that it has value. In anthropology however, there are different types of ‘value.’ Metals like iron, copper, and bronze are certainly functional and utilitarian. They were used to make instruments, like knives, swords, chisels, mauls, cups, spoons, and even mirrors. These metals and those like them are then said to have “Instrumental Value.”
Maybe they were easier to hammer and shape than brass, bronze, or iron, but they certainly weren’t more functional as tools.
These metals were pretty, and were used to make pretty things. More than that… they were rare! This meant that if you had gold or silver, you had something that not everyone had, and that made it desirable (this is an extreme generalization of the theory). This meant that these “precious” metals were more of a resource than an instrument, imbuing them with “Resource Value.”
But what about other materials that can’t really be made into things like weapons or armor? What about silver, gold, and platinum? Sure we use them in plenty of things today. Any one of these metals could be found in your computer or cellphone, due to their integration into microchips and semi-conductors. But back in the day, there were no Pentiums being pumped out. There really was nothing more functional about gold or silver. Maybe they were easier to hammer and shape than brass, bronze, or iron, but they certainly weren’t more functional as tools.
These metals were pretty, and were used to make pretty things. More than that… they were rare! This meant that if you had gold or silver, you had something that not everyone had, and that made it desirable (this is an extreme generalization of the theory). This meant that these “precious” metals were more of a resource than an instrument, imbuing them with “Resource Value.”
Now, if you actually read the section above, you know that metals could be tools (instruments) or resources, but there is a few more fine lines that we have to draw before we can really understand why the Vikings were the most bad-ass jewelers to ever sail the seven seas.
We may think of our money as a resource, but that is a bit of a miss when it comes to looking at money from a cultural perspective. We say someone has great resources when we mean that they have access to a lot of cash, but we also say that someone is really resourceful when they can make do with very little, or figure out how to use what they have on-hand instead of some custom product or tool. It’s the second use of “resource” that the Vikings used.
Now, if you actually read the section above, you know that metals could be tools (instruments) or resources, but there is a few more fine lines that we have to draw before we can really understand why the Vikings were the most bad-ass jewelers to ever sail the seven seas.
We may think of our money as a resource, but that is a bit of a miss when it comes to looking at money from a cultural perspective. We say someone has great resources when we mean that they have access to a lot of cash, but we also say that someone is really resourceful when they can make do with very little, or figure out how to use what they have on-hand instead of some custom product or tool. It’s the second use of “resource” that the Vikings used.
Iron and bronze were resources because they could be used to shoe horses, make armor or weapons, etc. Metals like that were what made the Vikings resourceful. They had a resource they could take advantage of. A “resource” though, may only be valuable to you and your lifestyle, but Capital has value to others.
Gold and silver were much less useful to the Vikings, but they were had a value that was widely accepted. Capital is something you can use to get assess the resources of another. People wanted gold and silver, so if you wanted to eat the food (resource) that another person had cultivated, you could exchange for it. Likewise, if you wanted food but had no gold, you could exchange labor, much in the same way someone may be forced to wash dishes if they couldn’t pay for their meal.
Iron and bronze were resources because they could be used to shoe horses, make armor or weapons, etc. Metals like that were what made the Vikings resourceful.
They had a resource they could take advantage of. A “resource” though, may only be valuable to you and your lifestyle, but Capital has value to others.
Iron and bronze were resources because they could be used to shoe horses, make armor or weapons, etc. Metals like that were what made the Vikings resourceful. They had a resource they could take advantage of. A “resource” though, may only be valuable to you and your lifestyle, but Capital has value to others.
Gold and silver were much less useful to the Vikings, but they were had a value that was widely accepted. Capital is something you can use to get assess the resources of another. People wanted gold and silver, so if you wanted to eat the food (resource) that another person had cultivated, you could exchange for it. Likewise, if you wanted food but had no gold, you could exchange labor, much in the same way someone may be forced to wash dishes if they couldn’t pay for their meal.
Gold and silver were much less useful to the Vikings, but they were had a value that was widely accepted. Capital is something you can use to get assess the resources of another. People wanted gold and silver, so if you wanted to eat the food (resource) that another person had cultivated, you could exchange for it. Likewise, if you wanted food but had no gold, you could exchange labor, much in the same way someone may be forced to wash dishes if they couldn’t pay for their meal.
This is in strict contrast to “currency,” which is anything that may be used regulated system of exchange. In America, the dollar is our currency. The dollar used to be gold and silver, then they were pieces of paper (called notes) which were backed by actual gold value, called the gold standard. Then, as the gold started to become regulated dollars were then backed by themselves as a symbol of money. If you have ever heard the term “green-back,” it was an early term used to slur the modern paper dollar, as the only thing that backed up its value was the green ink printed on it. No value at all. Dollar bills themselves are neither a resource, nor capital, unless you want to start some really expensive fires to keep warm somewhere. Haha!
This is in strict contrast to “currency,” which is anything that may be used regulated system of exchange. In America, the dollar is our currency. The dollar used to be gold and silver, then they were pieces of paper (called notes) which were backed by actual gold value, called the gold standard. Then, as the gold started to become regulated dollars were then backed by themselves as a symbol of money.
This is in strict contrast to “currency,” which is anything that may be used regulated system of exchange. In America, the dollar is our currency. The dollar used to be gold and silver, then they were pieces of paper (called notes) which were backed by actual gold value, called the gold standard. Then, as the gold started to become regulated dollars were then backed by themselves as a symbol of money. If you have ever heard the term “green-back,” it was an early term used to slur the modern paper dollar, as the only thing that backed up its value was the green ink printed on it. No value at all. Dollar bills themselves are neither a resource, nor capital, unless you want to start some really expensive fires to keep warm somewhere. Haha!
If you have ever heard the term “green-back,” it was an early term used to slur the modern paper dollar, as the only thing that backed up its value was the green ink printed on it. No value at all. Dollar bills themselves are neither a resource, nor capital, unless you want to start some really expensive fires to keep warm somewhere. Haha!
Before the idea of money (currency) ever hit the world, we had a thing called Proto-money, where the items used had value in and of themselves, and were semi-standardized, but had no real regulation. Despite having resources and capital, the world still worked on a barter system (for the most part).
Proto-money is exactly what it sounds like, the money that existed before money. For much of the world, this was typically some form of metal. Whether gold, silver, iron, bronze, or anything else that seemed like it could be used to kill or keep from dying pretty much had a recognized value associated with its size or weight.
To make it more convenient all across Europe and other parts of the world, people with the ability to collect and melt metals began pouring molten metal into lumpy, bubbly bars that looked more like a rigid string of beads than anything else.
These bubbly bars of metal ore and alloy were pretty crude, but made it really easy to snap off a definite size or weight of metal as an easy form of payment. The more often these money-bars were used, the more people began to expect similar sizes or weights in trade for similar goods and services.
This set the stage perfectly for traders to standardize things and eventually create “money.” But, there was a stage of metal exchange that existed even before proto-money and money-bars.
Before the idea of money (currency) ever hit the world, we had a thing called Proto-money, where the items used had value in and of themselves, and were semi-standardized, but had no real regulation. Despite having resources and capital, the world still worked on a barter system (for the most part).
Before the idea of money (currency) ever hit the world, we had a thing called Proto-money, where the items used had value in and of themselves, and were semi-standardized, but had no real regulation. Despite having resources and capital, the world still worked on a barter system (for the most part).
Proto-money is exactly what it sounds like, the money that existed before money. For much of the world, this was typically some form of metal.
Proto-money is exactly what it sounds like, the money that existed before money. For much of the world, this was typically some form of metal.
Proto-money is exactly what it sounds like, the money that existed before money. For much of the world, this was typically some form of metal. Whether gold, silver, iron, bronze, or anything else that seemed like it could be used to kill or keep from dying pretty much had a recognized value associated with its size or weight. To make it more convenient all across Europe and other parts of the world, people with the ability to collect and melt metals began pouring molten metal into lumpy, bubbly bars that looked more like a rigid string of beads than anything else.
Whether gold, silver, iron, bronze, or anything else that seemed like it could be used to kill or keep from dying pretty much had a recognized value associated with its size or weight. To make it more convenient all across Europe and other parts of the world, people with the ability to collect and melt metals began pouring molten metal into lumpy, bubbly bars that looked more like a rigid string of beads than anything else.
These bubbly bars of metal ore and alloy were pretty crude, but made it really easy to snap off a definite size or weight of metal as an easy form of payment.
Whether gold, silver, iron, bronze, or anything else that seemed like it could be used to kill or keep from dying pretty much had a recognized value associated with its size or weight. To make it more convenient all across Europe and other parts of the world, people with the ability to collect and melt metals began pouring molten metal into lumpy, bubbly bars that looked more like a rigid string of beads than anything else.
These bubbly bars of metal ore and alloy were pretty crude, but made it really easy to snap off a definite size or weight of metal as an easy form of payment.
The more often these money-bars were used, the more people began to expect similar sizes or weights in trade for similar goods and services. This set the stage perfectly for traders to standardize things and eventually create “money.” But, there was a stage of metal exchange that existed even before proto-money and money-bars.
The more often these money-bars were used, the more people began to expect similar sizes or weights in trade for similar goods and services. This set the stage perfectly for traders to standardize things and eventually create “money.” But, there was a stage of metal exchange that existed even before proto-money and money-bars.
These bubbly bars of metal ore and alloy were pretty crude, but made it really easy to snap off a definite size or weight of metal as an easy form of payment. The more often these money-bars were used, the more people began to expect similar sizes or weights in trade for similar goods and services. This set the stage perfectly for traders to standardize things and eventually create “money.” But, there was a stage of metal exchange that existed even before proto-money and money-bars.
Have you ever seen a Viking pendant or bracelet that seemed to have these little knobby bits poking off the edges? There are a lot of them represented in museums and in private collections, but you will likely not see too many of them in mint condition. Many, if not most of these knobby trinkets have broken edges, chipped off nodules, or other such ‘damage’. Well, as it turns out, this is for a good reason, and is a sign that the little bit of jewelry was doing exactly what it was meant to do. Well, as it turns out, this is for a good reason, and is a sign that the little bit of jewelry was doing exactly what it was meant to do.
Have you ever seen a Viking pendant or bracelet that seemed to have these little knobby bits poking off the edges? There are a lot of them represented in museums and in private collections, but you will likely not see too many of them in mint condition. Many, if not most of these knobby trinkets have broken edges, chipped off nodules, or other such ‘damage’. Well, as it turns out, this is for a good reason, and is a sign that the little bit of jewelry was doing exactly what it was meant to do.
These trinkets and totems were the precursors for money-bars and prominently displayed their knobby ends for exactly the same reason that money-bars were shaped like string-peas, to make it easier to snap off and pay!
We (well, not us specifically…) find Viking hordes from time to time, and more often than not, the amazing jewelry we find is all busted up and broken into bits. Many people might assume that broken bracelets were due to the pressure of the soil, as the horde collapsed in on itself over time. Many buried hordes were sealed with heavy capstones, so it would make sense. However, most times there are bits from bracelets, rings, pendants, neck torques, etc. that are all on their own, not multiple pieces of the artifact.
Have you ever seen a Viking pendant or bracelet that seemed to have these little knobby bits poking off the edges? There are a lot of them represented in museums and in private collections, but you will likely not see too many of them in mint condition. Many, if not most of these knobby trinkets have broken edges, chipped off nodules, or other such ‘damage’.
Have you ever seen a Viking pendant or bracelet that seemed to have these little knobby bits poking off the edges? There are a lot of them represented in museums and in private collections, but you will likely not see too many of them in mint condition. Many, if not most of these knobby trinkets have broken edges, chipped off nodules, or other such ‘damage’.
Well, as it turns out, this is for a good reason, and is a sign that the little bit of jewelry was doing exactly what it was meant to do.
These trinkets and totems were the precursors for money-bars and prominently displayed their knobby ends for exactly the same reason that money-bars were shaped like string-peas, to make it easier to snap off and pay!
Well, as it turns out, this is for a good reason, and is a sign that the little bit of jewelry was doing exactly what it was meant to do.
These trinkets and totems were the precursors for money-bars and prominently displayed their knobby ends for exactly the same reason that money-bars were shaped like string-peas, to make it easier to snap off and pay!
These trinkets and totems were the precursors for money-bars and prominently displayed their knobby ends for exactly the same reason that money-bars were shaped like string-peas, to make it easier to snap off and pay!
We (well, not us specifically…) find Viking hordes from time to time, and more often than not, the amazing jewelry we find is all busted up and broken into bits. Many people might assume that broken bracelets were due to the pressure of the soil, as the horde collapsed in on itself over time. Many buried hordes were sealed with heavy capstones, so it would make sense. However, most times there are bits from bracelets, rings, pendants, neck torques, etc. that are all on their own, not multiple pieces of the artifact.
We (well, not us specifically…) find Viking hordes from time to time, and more often than not, the amazing jewelry we find is all busted up and broken into bits. Many people might assume that broken bracelets were due to the pressure of the soil, as the horde collapsed in on itself over time. Many buried hordes were sealed with heavy capstones, so it would make sense. However, most times there are bits from bracelets, rings, pendants, neck torques, etc. that are all on their own, not multiple pieces of the artifact.
This could only mean that Vikings intentionally hoarded broken bits of jewelry. But why!? We can’t imagine a single person today that would desperately cling to broken bronze bangle, as if it were some treasure. If it’s broken, the general assumption is that the value is lost until it’s repaired, right? A broken lawnmower certainly wouldn’t be the highlight of anyone’s tool shed. But that all really depends on how you see the world.
To the Vikings, the reason they wore gold, silver, iron, and bronze wasn’t to demonstrate their wealth, it’s because that was their wealth. The metals were their money, and wearing it made it much easier to carry and secure. We have different shapes, sizes, and colors of bills and coins all around the world, but for the Vikings, it was all about the material and its weight.
Large weighty bracelets, neck torques, rings, totems, trinkets, dangles, and bangles all adorned the Vikings, their horses, their houses, their drinking horns, and over time it adorned their graves.
This could only mean that Vikings intentionally hoarded broken bits of jewelry. But why!? We can’t imagine a single person today that would desperately cling to broken bronze bangle, as if it were some treasure. If it’s broken, the general assumption is that the value is lost until it’s repaired, right? A broken lawnmower certainly wouldn’t be the highlight of anyone’s tool shed. But that all really depends on how you see the world.
This could only mean that Vikings intentionally hoarded broken bits of jewelry. But why!? We can’t imagine a single person today that would desperately cling to broken bronze bangle, as if it were some treasure. If it’s broken, the general assumption is that the value is lost until it’s repaired, right? A broken lawnmower certainly wouldn’t be the highlight of anyone’s tool shed. But that all really depends on how you see the world.
This could only mean that Vikings intentionally hoarded broken bits of jewelry. But why!? We can’t imagine a single person today that would desperately cling to broken bronze bangle, as if it were some treasure. If it’s broken, the general assumption is that the value is lost until it’s repaired, right? A broken lawnmower certainly wouldn’t be the highlight of anyone’s tool shed. But that all really depends on how you see the world.
Wealth being fashioned to hang on and around the Viking’s body made their assets readily available and VERY secure! Imagine trying to steal a silver bangle off the arm holding the hilt of a Viking sword, or the wrist tucked safely behind a shield or buckler… Not gonna happen!
To the Vikings, the reason they wore gold, silver, iron, and bronze wasn’t to demonstrate their wealth, it’s because that was their wealth. The metals were their money, and wearing it made it much easier to carry and secure. We have different shapes, sizes, and colors of bills and coins all around the world, but for the Vikings, it was all about the material and its weight.
Large weighty bracelets, neck torques, rings, totems, trinkets, dangles, and bangles all adorned the Vikings, their horses, their houses, their drinking horns, and over time it adorned their graves.
To the Vikings, the reason they wore gold, silver, iron, and bronze wasn’t to demonstrate their wealth, it’s because that was their wealth. The metals were their money, and wearing it made it much easier to carry and secure. We have different shapes, sizes, and colors of bills and coins all around the world, but for the Vikings, it was all about the material and its weight.
Large weighty bracelets, neck torques, rings, totems, trinkets, dangles, and bangles all adorned the Vikings, their horses, their houses, their drinking horns, and over time it adorned their graves.
Wealth being fashioned to hang on and around the Viking’s body made their assets readily available and VERY secure! Imagine trying to steal a silver bangle off the arm holding the hilt of a Viking sword, or the wrist tucked safely behind a shield or buckler… Not gonna happen!
Wealth being fashioned to hang on and around the Viking’s body made their assets readily available and VERY secure! Imagine trying to steal a silver bangle off the arm holding the hilt of a Viking sword, or the wrist tucked safely behind a shield or buckler… Not gonna happen!
As Vikings got older or gained rank, more trophies and trinkets could be displayed. Certainly there were hordes of valued goods buried in stone-capped underground stashes, but everyone needs a little spending money from time to time. So, those with more to spend wore more on their person. Rings on fingers and beards, rings and beads in their hair, necklaces and torques, earrings too! We can’t forget about broaches and cloak pins.
Other metallic objects would have been just as valuable as gold and silver pendants though. Horse shoes, flint-iron, knives and weapons, bronze razors and simple nails all had their own value, not only in their functional utility, but in their metallic weight.
As Vikings got older or gained rank, more trophies and trinkets could be displayed. Certainly there were hordes of valued goods buried in stone-capped underground stashes, but everyone needs a little spending money from time to time.
As Vikings got older or gained rank, more trophies and trinkets could be displayed. Certainly there were hordes of valued goods buried in stone-capped underground stashes, but everyone needs a little spending money from time to time.
As Vikings got older or gained rank, more trophies and trinkets could be displayed. Certainly there were hordes of valued goods buried in stone-capped underground stashes, but everyone needs a little spending money from time to time. So, those with more to spend wore more on their person. Rings on fingers and beards, rings and beads in their hair, necklaces and torques, earrings too! We can’t forget about broaches and cloak pins.
So, those with more to spend wore more on their person. Rings on fingers and beards, rings and beads in their hair, necklaces and torques, earrings too! We can’t forget about broaches and cloak pins.
So, those with more to spend wore more on their person. Rings on fingers and beards, rings and beads in their hair, necklaces and torques, earrings too! We can’t forget about broaches and cloak pins.
Other metallic objects would have been just as valuable as gold and silver pendants though. Horse shoes, flint-iron, knives and weapons, bronze razors and simple nails all had their own value, not only in their functional utility, but in their metallic weight.
Other metallic objects would have been just as valuable as gold and silver pendants though. Horse shoes, flint-iron, knives and weapons, bronze razors and simple nails all had their own value, not only in their functional utility, but in their metallic weight.
Metal has a unique property that makes it stand out above wood and stone, and it isn’t its relative hardness. More than being hard, metal is able to be shaped and re-shaped at any time, as long as it exists! Copper and copper alloys will “work harden” the more they are bent and flexed, and after a while, they become brittle and may break. But, heating something made of copper in a fire will make it softer and able to be molded again. Likewise, any metal can be simply melted down from a horseshoe or nail, to a dagger or a cloak pin.
Metal has a unique property that makes it stand out above wood and stone, and it isn’t its relative hardness. More than being hard, metal is able to be shaped and re-shaped at any time, as long as it exists! Copper and copper alloys will “work harden” the more they are bent and flexed, and after a while, they become brittle and may break.
Metal has a unique property that makes it stand out above wood and stone, and it isn’t its relative hardness. More than being hard, metal is able to be shaped and re-shaped at any time, as long as it exists! Copper and copper alloys will “work harden” the more they are bent and flexed, and after a while, they become brittle and may break.
Metal has a unique property that makes it stand out above wood and stone, and it isn’t its relative hardness. More than being hard, metal is able to be shaped and re-shaped at any time, as long as it exists! Copper and copper alloys will “work harden” the more they are bent and flexed, and after a while, they become brittle and may break. But, heating something made of copper in a fire will make it softer and able to be molded again. Likewise, any metal can be simply melted down from a horseshoe or nail, to a dagger or a cloak pin.
But, heating something made of copper in a fire will make it softer and able to be molded again. Likewise, any metal can be simply melted down from a horseshoe or nail, to a dagger or a cloak pin.
But, heating something made of copper in a fire will make it softer and able to be molded again. Likewise, any metal can be simply melted down from a horseshoe or nail, to a dagger or a cloak pin.
Metal was like an infinite resource to the Vikings, and every time metal was forged, no matter how old or dirty, it would come out of the fire and off the anvil bright and vivid. It is no wonder why the Vikings saw dwarves and other such artisans as servants of the gods, creating wonders beyond compare. Magic rings that create others, mechanical bores who could pull chariots and wigs of golden hair that would actually grow for its owner… nothing was impossible when you had metal and fire.
The Vikings were pragmatic in their approach to “jewelry.” No doubt they were skilled craftsmen, producing beautiful and intricate work, but what else are you going to do for 8 months of winter? Haha! Seriously though… the Vikings were functionally brilliant, with how they viewed wealth through the eyes of how much value something added to your life. Gold and silver were pretty, but left much to be desired when one needed to make a hammer or forge a knife. If we look back at our own lives, how much do we hold dear that really gives us nothing back? If we wore what was most valuable to our lives and those around us, what would it be? A USB cord? A phone charger? …makes you think.
Metal was like an infinite resource to the Vikings, and every time metal was forged, no matter how old or dirty, it would come out of the fire and off the anvil bright and vivid.
Metal was like an infinite resource to the Vikings, and every time metal was forged, no matter how old or dirty, it would come out of the fire and off the anvil bright and vivid.
It is no wonder why the Vikings saw dwarves and other such artisans as servants of the gods, creating wonders beyond compare. Magic rings that create others, mechanical bores who could pull chariots and wigs of golden hair that would actually grow for its owner… nothing was impossible when you had metal and fire.
It is no wonder why the Vikings saw dwarves and other such artisans as servants of the gods, creating wonders beyond compare. Magic rings that create others, mechanical bores who could pull chariots and wigs of golden hair that would actually grow for its owner… nothing was impossible when you had metal and fire.
The Vikings were pragmatic in their approach to “jewelry.” No doubt they were skilled craftsmen, producing beautiful and intricate work, but what else are you going to do for 8 months of winter? Haha! Seriously though… the Vikings were functionally brilliant, with how they viewed wealth through the eyes of how much value something added to your life. Gold and silver were pretty, but left much to be desired when one needed to make a hammer or forge a knife. If we look back at our own lives, how much do we hold dear that really gives us nothing back? If we wore what was most valuable to our lives and those around us, what would it be? A USB cord? A phone charger? …makes you think.
The Vikings were pragmatic in their approach to “jewelry.” No doubt they were skilled craftsmen, producing beautiful and intricate work, but what else are you going to do for 8 months of winter? Haha! Seriously though… the Vikings were functionally brilliant, with how they viewed wealth through the eyes of how much value something added to your life. Gold and silver were pretty, but left much to be desired when one needed to make a hammer or forge a knife. If we look back at our own lives, how much do we hold dear that really gives us nothing back? If we wore what was most valuable to our lives and those around us, what would it be? A USB cord? A phone charger? …makes you think.
