Vendel tortoise brooch Dorestad, silvered bronze, price per piece

Product description

This turtle brooch is a replica of a 9th century specimen found in Dorestad (Wijk bij Duurstede) Netherlands. The turtle brooch was likely imported from Sweden. Turtle brooches like this were already worn in Scandinavia during the Vendel period. This turtle brooch is 6.3 x 3 x 1.1 cm in size. It can easily be attached with the pin on the back. This tortoise brooch is made in the Germanic animal style II/D

The Tortoise brooch: Jewelry and Symbol in the Viking AgeThe tortoise brooches were worn in purple by Viking women on the chest and originally served to close the hangerok. Tortoise brooches emerged at the beginning of the Viking Age and replaced fibulas that Germanic women wore to hold their clothing, the peplos, together. Besides their functional role as a clasp, tortoise brooches were also practical: chains with bead, jewelry or objects such as sewing equipment and combs were attached to them. These accessories had both a functional and a ritual meaning. Keys symbolized the authority of the woman, sewing equipment emphasized the feminine ideal of textile work and cosmetic sets emphasized 'piety' through ritual washing and cosmic order.