Viking Primer
- Available
-
Delivery time: 3 - 5 working days* (GB - int. shipments may differ)
- Available
-
Delivery time: 3 - 5 working days* (GB - int. shipments may differ)
- Available
- Available
-
Delivery time: 3 - 5 working days* (GB - int. shipments may differ)
- Available
- Available
- Available
-
Delivery time: 3 - 5 working days* (GB - int. shipments may differ)
- Available
The Viking brooch was far more than a simple garment fastener – it combined practical utility with status symbolism, craftsmanship and cultural identity. Anyone looking for a Nordic brooch for re-enactment, LARP or a medieval market will find replicas here based on original archaeological finds from Birka, Gotland, Kaupang and other sites dating from the Viking Age.
What is a Viking brooch? Function and history
A brooch is a garment fastener consisting of two basic elements: a bar and a pin – functionally comparable to the modern safety pin. Its main purpose was to hold together a cloak, cape or tunic. In Viking-era costume (c. 750–1100 AD), the brooch was not merely an everyday tool, but always also an expression of rank, wealth and cultural affiliation.
The roots of the brooch extend far beyond the Viking Age: as early as the Iron Age, Germanic tribes created simple bow-shaped brooches from bronze and iron – these are often referred to as Germanic brooches and are regarded as direct precursors to Viking-era forms. Over the centuries, the design evolved from simple arched forms to richly decorated showpieces featuring animal motifs, interlaced bands and runes.
The material of a brooch spoke a clear social language: a simple bronze brooch was worn by the free peasant, a silver brooch by the wealthy merchant or warrior, and gold brooches were reserved for chieftains and the upper class. The craftsmanship too – cast, chiselled or inlaid with niello – indicated the wearer’s status within the community.
An overview of the main types of Nordic brooches
Oval brooch & cup-shaped brooch
The oval brooch, also known as a shell brooch, was fastened in pairs to the wearer’s skirt and is one of the most characteristic pieces of jewellery in Viking-era women’s attire. Significant finds come from Oseberg and Saltvik.
Cloverleaf brooch
The cloverleaf brooch, with its distinctive three-lobed shape, was widespread throughout Scandinavia and the British Isles. Archaeological finds have been made at Tranby, Stora Ryk, Värnamo and Kaupang – often crafted in the Oseberg style.
Disc brooch
Round disc brooches were frequently decorated in the Borre style (interlaced patterns, animal heads) or Jelling style (ribbon-shaped animals) and were among the most striking pieces of jewellery for both sexes.
Hump brooch
Hump brooches are characterised by raised humps on the surface and appeared particularly magnificent due to their three-dimensional appearance. The Birka hump brooch with horse heads is a well-known example.
Box brooch
The cylindrical box shape of the box brooch is a regional speciality from Gotland. A distinct brooch tradition developed there, which differs significantly from finds on the Scandinavian mainland.
Ring brooch & equal-armed brooch
Simpler ring brooches and equal-armed brooches were widely used in everyday life – by men and women alike. They were suitable for fastening cloaks or tunics and are attested by numerous finds from Birka.
Historical find sites and original models for our brooch replicas
Most significant Viking settlement
Birka, on the island of Björkö in Lake Mälaren, was one of Scandinavia’s most important trading centres between the 8th and 10th centuries. Excavations in the 19th century unearthed hundreds of double-barred brooches, hump-backed brooches with horse heads and simple ring brooches – the basis for many of the replicas in our current range.
An island with its own brooch tradition
Over the centuries, Gotland developed a distinctive jewellery tradition. The can brooch is a typical Gotlandic piece: cylindrical, often decorated with geometric patterns, and in this form not found anywhere else in Scandinavia to such an extent.
Important trading centre
Kaupang on the Norwegian coast was a major hub for goods from across Europe. Finds of Oseberg-style trefoil brooches attest to the lively cultural exchange between Norway, Ireland and the British Isles.
Åland and Swedish finds
Shell brooches from Saltvik (Åland) and Morberg display regional stylistic features of the Viking Age. The Morberg shell brooch in the Jelling style is a particularly decorative piece featuring characteristic ribbon-animal motifs.
Anglo-Saxon influences
Finds from the British Isles attest to the strong Anglo-Saxon influence on Viking-era brooch art. The broad-headed brooch from the Isle of Wight and the brooch from Goldsborough display early medieval stylistic elements that differ from continental forms.
Replicas based on archaeological finds provide re-enactors and enthusiasts with historical authenticity – and allow them to incorporate the actual design language of the Viking Age into their own attire rather than resorting to stylised fantasy versions.
Materials and decorative styles: bronze, silver and gold
| Material | Historical significance | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Bronze / Brass | Most common material | Equal-armed brooches, ring brooches, trefoil brooches – easy to cast, durable, for all social classes |
| Silver | Status symbol | Shell brooches, knobbed brooches – signalled higher status, widely used as a means of payment and a status symbol |
| Gold | Upper class | Ceremonial brooches of chiefs and leaders – rare, valuable, representative |
| Iron | Everyday use | Simple ring brooches and pins for daily use by the lower classes |
It is interesting to note that the Vikings preferred silver to gold: silver was ubiquitous as a means of payment and a commodity, could be chopped into pieces (so-called ‘chopped silver’) and was therefore more versatile in everyday life than the rarer gold. A silver Viking brooch thus had both practical and symbolic value.
The decorative styles reflect the art-historical development of the Viking Age: the Borre style (9th–10th centuries) features intertwined braided bands and stylised animal heads. The Jelling style (10th century) employs ribbon-like animals with elegant curves. The late Urnes style (11th–12th centuries) is characterised by finely curved lines and the typical depiction of the Midgard Serpent Jörmungand – as seen, for example, on the Jörmungand brooch in the Urnes style. Animal motifs such as ravens, snakes and horse heads were not merely decorative, but were deeply rooted in Norse mythology.
Viking brooches in practice: clothing, re-enactment and LARP
Which brooch for which purpose? That depends primarily on what costume you are wearing and what historical accuracy you are aiming for. Shell brooches are always fastened in pairs to the Viking skirt and form part of the classic women’s costume. Between the two oval brooches, the Viking woman would thread a Viking brooch chain – a richly decorated piece of jewellery made of beads, glass stones or metal rings, which was deeply rooted in Norse culture and was often passed down from generation to generation.
- Replica based on an archaeological find (location and date of discovery known)
- Material according to historical sources: bronze or silver
- Note the decorative style of the depicted era and region
- Pairs of oval brooches for women’s traditional dress, single ring brooch for the cloak
- Can be combined with a historically documented fibula chain
- Freer choice of style – focus on appearance
- Bronze brooches offer excellent value for money
- Anglo-Saxon or Frankish brooches are also suitable for Nordic-inspired garments
- Single ring brooches or trefoil brooches are practical for cloaks and coats
- Easy to combine with Viking clothing and tunics
For men, ring brooches, double-barred brooches and trefoil brooches are particularly suitable for fastening Viking cloaks or tunics. A single brooch at the shoulder is well-documented historically and adds the finishing touch to any Viking outfit.
Which brooch suits your outfit? A guide by price and design
Simple Birka brooches in bronze or silver, as well as equal-arm brooches and ring brooches, are the ideal choice for your first outfit. They are historically documented, handy in size and suitable for both cloaks and tunics. The Goldsborough brooch in brass is an affordable option with an early medieval character.
Clover-leaf brooches (Tranby, Värnamo, Stora Ryk, Kaupang), Borrest-style disc brooches and simple cup brooches offer more detail and greater historical authenticity. They are equally suitable for regular market visits and LARP use, and are available in bronze or silver-plated.
The Viking hump brooches from Birka with horse heads or the Morberg cup brooch in the Jelling style are aimed at re-enactors with high standards of historical accuracy. These pieces are modelled on precise original finds, cast in rich detail and available in bronze or silver-plated. For a Swedish portrayal, we recommend the Gotland can brooch; for Norse-Irish contexts, the cloverleaf brooch from Kaupang.
Whether you’re looking for a simple ring brooch for your first Viking cloak or a meticulously detailed buckled brooch from Birka for ambitious reenactment – in our range you’ll find Nordic brooches based on original archaeological designs in bronze and silver to suit every budget. Browse through the collection and find the brooch that matches your costume and your historical aspirations.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Viking brooch is a garment fastener consisting of a bar and a pin – functionally comparable to a modern safety pin. It was used to fasten a coat, cloak or tunic, but was also a piece of jewellery and a status symbol. The material and craftsmanship indicated the wearer’s rank within the community.
The main types are: oval brooches or shell brooches (worn in pairs with women’s attire), trefoil brooches (three-lobed, for cloaks and coats), disc brooches (round, often in the Borre or Jelling style), knobbed brooches (with raised knobs, particularly ornate), cylinder brooches (cylindrical, typical of Gotland), as well as ring brooches and straight-barred brooches for everyday use.
A garment brooch is a historical clasp used to fasten garments such as cloaks, coats or tunics. In re-enactment and LARP, it is used today to fasten the garment authentically whilst ensuring the appearance is historically accurate. Cup brooches are worn in pairs on the tunic, whilst single ring brooches fasten the cloak.
The brooch chain was a piece of jewellery from the Viking Age that was fastened between two oval brooches on a woman’s petticoat. It consisted of beads, glass stones or metal rings and was often decorated with pendants. In addition to their decorative function, brooch chains also had symbolic significance and were frequently passed down from generation to generation.
The Vikings used silver far more frequently than gold. Silver was ubiquitous as a means of payment and a commodity – it could be divided into pieces (so-called ‘hacksilver’) and was therefore more versatile in everyday life. Gold remained the preserve of the upper classes and chieftains. However, the most common material for brooches was bronze, as it is inexpensive, malleable and durable.