Viking brooch necklace
- Available
- Available
The Viking brooch necklace is one of the most characteristic pieces of jewellery from the Viking Age – worn by women between two shell brooches, it speaks of social status, craftsmanship and Nordic design. In this range, you will find 18 handcrafted brooch necklaces from our own brand, Vehi Mercatus, featuring historically inspired pendants such as Thor’s hammer, the Haithabu amulet or moon motifs – in brown, blue-green and multicoloured, with a choice of bronze or silver-plated fittings.
What is a brooch necklace? – Function and history
A brooch necklace is not a necklace in the traditional sense – this is a common misconception. It is not worn around the neck, but hangs decoratively between two brooches attached to the shoulder straps of a draped tunic (peplos). The brooches secure the outer garment to the shoulders; the chain connects them across the chest.
This style of wear was typical of women’s jewellery during the Viking Age, roughly from the 8th to the 11th century. Archaeological finds from Birka (Sweden), Haithabu (Schleswig-Holstein) and Gotland attest to the widespread use of this type of jewellery in Northern Europe. Depending on the find, the material, length and pendants vary considerably – from simple rows of glass beads to elaborate collections featuring coins, amulets and amber beads.
Historical background: finds from Birka, Haithabu and Gotland
Glass beads in abundance
The burial grounds of Birka provide one of the richest sources of material for brooch necklaces: colourful glass beads in a wide variety of shapes – round, faceted, ribbed – were strung together in mixed colours. A single green glass bead was worth about 3 grams of silver in barter trade, comparable to a knife blade or 5 kg of grain. Beads were therefore by no means cheap trinkets, but visible capital.
Amulets and bronze fittings
Numerous metal pendants originate from the trading centre of Haithabu: small amulets, bronze fittings and figurative objects. Thor’s hammer, as a protective amulet, was widespread and appears in graves of both sexes. The finds from Haithabu are particularly valuable for re-enactors seeking a historically verifiable basis for their equipment.
Silver, coins and status symbols
Gotland was a major hub of Viking-era trade. The jewellery found there was correspondingly lavish: pearl necklaces with silver pendants, pierced coins and amber beads bear witness to prosperity and long-distance trade contacts. Amber was not merely jewellery, but a sought-after commodity that the Vikings exported far and wide. The wealthier the wearer, the more elaborate the necklace – the brooch necklace was a means of social communication.
How to wear the brooch necklace correctly – with a peplos, strapless dress and more
To wear the brooch necklace, you need three components: two brooches, two S-hooks and the necklace itself. The Viking brooches are hooked onto the shoulder straps of the strapless dress and hold the outer garment in place. The S-hooks then connect the eyelets of the brooches to the ends of the necklace – it hangs loosely across the chest area. Important: Brooches and S-hooks are not included with the brooch chains, but can be ordered separately from the Viking jewellery accessories section.
The Viking dress for women or a Viking outer garment with shoulder straps are particularly suitable as matching garments. To complement the brooch chain, the overall look can be rounded off with a Viking bangle and bracelet, Viking earrings and a Viking ring. Anyone wishing to put together a complete Viking outfit will find useful guidance in the Viking Outfit section.
Materials and price ranges – from wooden beads to bronze amulets
The basic brooch chains in brown, blue-green or multicoloured – either without a pendant or with a simple bead pendant. Glass beads, natural stones and pieces of wood are strung together, with the colour scheme based on historical finds from Birka. Ideal for getting started in Viking re-enactment or your first medieval market.
Brooch necklaces with bronze pendants: Haithabu amulet based on an archaeological model, a moon motif as a feminine symbol, or Thor’s hammer in bronze or silver-plated. The pendants give the necklace a clearly recognisable thematic profile and enhance its historical authenticity.
The multi-strand version with three bronze moon pendants – an eye-catcher for sophisticated outfits. The three-strand design corresponds to the historical principle of chain dividers, which has been found in graves of the upper classes. All brooch chains in this range are from our own brand, Vehi Mercatus, and are handmade.
Colour options at a glance: brown, blue-green and multicoloured
Brown
Warm brown tones made from wooden beads, brown glass beads and natural stone. Harmonises beautifully with natural-coloured Viking clothing made from linen and wool – ideal for a cohesive overall look in a historical colour palette.
Blue-green
Blue and green glass beads create an elegant, slightly cooler colour scheme. It looks more refined and stands out deliberately from natural-coloured clothing. A combination well documented in Birka finds.
Colourful
Glass beads, natural stones and pieces of wood in many colours – this variant is particularly close to historical models. Colourful mixtures from Birka graves show that the Vikings valued bold colour combinations and used them as status symbols.
When choosing colours, you can either match the necklace to the colour of your clothing for a harmonious look – or deliberately create a contrast, as is also historically documented. You can find suitable attire for women in the Viking clothing category.
Structure of a Viking brooch necklace: beads, pendants and spacers
The basic structure of a brooch necklace begins with the bead strand: glass, natural stone, wood or clay beads are threaded onto a cord or wire. Historically, the composition was individual – no two necklaces were identical. In this range, all necklaces are already assembled and fitted with eyelets for the S-hooks.
Pendants complement the base strand and add thematic accents: Thor’s hammer symbolised protection and strength and is one of the most commonly found amulets from the Viking Age. The moon motif was a feminine symbol expressing fertility and a connection to nature. The Haithabu amulet is directly based on archaeological finds from the significant trading centre on the Schlei.
If you wish to wear a two-strand or three-strand necklace, you will need a chain divider – a metal connector to which several strands of chain can be attached. Such dividers are available in the Medieval Jewellery Accessories section. The individual arrangement can be symmetrical or asymmetrical – both are historically documented and depend on personal taste.
Brooch chains today: medieval markets, LARP and reenactment
- Pendant designs based on archaeological finds (Haithabu, Birka, Gotland)
- Colours historically accurate: brown, blue-green or multicoloured beads based on archaeological finds
- Correct way to wear: attached to shell brooches with S-hooks
- Store metal parts in a dry place; do not leave beads submerged in water
- Useful addition: Viking necklace and pendant sold separately
- Freer choice of colours – colourful version for maximum visual impact
- Can also be worn as a decorative accessory without a dress
- Suits medieval women’s clothing and costumes of all kinds
- Original gift idea for Viking enthusiasts
- Also suitable for carnival and theatre events
Whether you’re putting together your first Viking outfit for the medieval market or want to complete a historically accurate re-enactment costume – with the right brooch chain, you’ll make a statement that really stands out. Take a look at the 18 variations in this range and find the combination of colour and pendant that suits your costume.
Frequently asked questions
A brooch chain is not a necklace, but a chain that is fastened between two brooches on the shoulder straps of a wrap-around dress (peplos). It hangs decoratively across the chest and was a typical form of women’s jewellery during the Viking Age (approx. 8th–11th centuries). Archaeological finds from Birka, Haithabu and Gotland confirm this style of wear throughout Northern Europe.
A Viking fibula is a metal garment fastener – comparable to a decorative pin or clasp – which was used to fasten clothing. With the fibula chain, two shell fibulae are hooked onto the shoulder straps of the draped tunic; the chain is attached to the fibulae’s eyelets using S-hooks. Fibulae are available separately in the range as Viking fibulae.
No – the delivery includes only the brooch chain itself. Brooches and S-hooks are required separately and can be ordered individually in the Viking Jewellery Accessories section. This allows you to combine brooches and chains according to your own preferences.
Thor’s hammer amulets, moon pendants and various figurative bronze pendants, as evidenced by the finds from Haithabu, are well documented archaeologically. Coins were also pierced and used as pendants. Glass beads, amber and natural stones often formed the base strand. The pendant designs in this range are directly inspired by these archaeological finds.
The brooch necklace is designed for strappy dresses with shoulder straps, such as the Viking-era peplos or outer garment. In the shop, you’ll find matching Viking dresses for women and Viking clothing with strappy designs. To complement this, the brooch necklace can be combined well with Viking bangles, earrings and rings to create a harmonious overall look.