Viking Mask Pendant from Uppåkra

Amulet of the Viking Age in the shape of a face.

This remarkable Viking jewellery in the form of a mask pendant in the Borre style is based on an original from the Swedish burial ground of Uppåkra and dates to the 9th - 10th century.

The mask pendant from Uppåkra shows the bearded face of a Viking with staring eyes and a small nose, which is interpreted as Odin. The magnificent moustache and the forked beard on the chin are particularly striking.

Link to a historical model...

Almost identical mask pendants from the Viking Age are known not only from Uppåkra but also from other finds in Härad / Sweden and in Gnezdovo / Russia.

The Viking pendants with bearded faces are often interpreted as images of the god Odin. However, very similar representations from Viking Age smithies also suggest a connection with the god Loki, as he is associated with the smith's craft.

Dimensions of the mask amulet from Uppåkra: 3.8 x 2 cm.

The Viking jewellery is available in bronze and silver-plated.
A solid leather cord of 1 m length is included.

Several mask amulets are known from the Viking Age, often in bearded form, although their meaning is not really certain. However, it is striking that many of these mask amulets were found in the context of warrior burials - so it is reasonable to assume that the bearded mask pendants could be a representation of the battle god Odin.