Viking trefoil fibula Rygge, bronze

Product description

This Viking cloverleaf brooch features a design of intertwined ravens, inspired by the motif on a Viking strap tongue discovered in RØD near Rygge in the Norwegian Østfold. The original find dates back to the 9th century. It measures 5.5 x 5.5 cm and comes in high-quality bronze or real silver-plated versions. A sturdy pin on the back lets you fasten it through even thicker fabrics.

Trefoil-shaped strap distributors started out as part of Franconian military harnesses before making their way to Scandinavia, where craftsmen adapted them into jewelry. These brooches quickly became a staple of Viking women's costumes, crafted in a distinct Scandinavian style that shows how Viking culture absorbed and transformed foreign influences.

Trefoil brooches were an essential part of Viking women's dress, typically worn at the center of the chest between bowl brooches. By the mid-10th century, though, they gradually disappeared from Scandinavian costume, marking the end of their prominence in Viking fashion.