Viking buckle stylized birds

Product description

This buckle is based on a 9th-century original found in a male grave in Frøyland. It fits belt straps 2 cm wide and features a bronze finish.

Both ends feature a stylized bird head with a long beak—a popular motif in Viking art. The design falls within the Jellinge style, prevalent from around 890 to 990. The Jellinge style is characterized by so-called ribbon-shaped animals, as seen here. These ribbon animals have striped bodies, profile-facing heads, and round eyes—all features clearly visible on this piece.

Those profile-facing heads set the Jellinge style apart from the earlier Borre style, where animals appear face-on.

Raven symbols are likely associated with intelligence, tact, knowledge, magic, and prophetic insight. While the wolf represents cunning, aggression, and strength, the raven stands for thoughtfulness, sharp perception, and the careful pursuit of goals. Both creatures highlight different aspects of Germanic and Viking culture, coming together in the figure of the god Odin/Wodan, whose role is to guard the cosmic order.