Viking age Bird Amulet from Finland

Viking Age bird pendant from Hattula.

Here you can buy a detailed replica of the Viking Age bird pendant from Hattula, based on a historical find from Finland.

The original bird pendant from Hattula was made of silver sheet metal and decorated with filigree granules. It is vaguely reminiscent of a stylised coot or moorhen. The bird's legs are missing from the find.

Link to the historical model...

The Hattula bird pendant dates from between 800 and 1025 AD. It was found in a hoard buried around 1040 AD, which consisted of silver necklaces, pendants and strap fittings, carnelian and glass beads, and 126 silver coins from England and Byzantium.

The treasure was found in a field belonging to a farm called Luurila in the municipality of Hattula in south-central Finland, near the village of Pelkola, on the south-western shore of Lake Renkojärvi.

The treasure was originally deposited in a leather bag or other container in the ground. During ploughing, the entire contents were scattered unnoticed over an area of 25 m² across the field. In 1906, the area was excavated by the National Museum and yielded a considerable number of finds.

The Viking Age bird pendants from Finland represent a close connection between people and their environment and beliefs. This bird pendant is not only an elegant piece of jewellery, but also a meaningful amulet that reflects the culture and traditions of Northern European cultures.

The bird pendant from Hattula measures 4.6 x 4 cm.

You can purchase the pendant in high-quality bronze or genuine silver-plated.

Alternatively, you can also order it in 925 sterling silver (please note delivery time).

Alloy...

A 1 m black leather cord is included with the bird pendant from Hattula.

Three-dimensional and naturalistic as well as flat and more stylised bird pendants were mainly found in southern Finland, north-western Estonia and northern Latvia during the Viking Age.

The widespread distribution of these Viking Age bird pendants shows the lively cultural contacts between the Baltic, Scandinavian and Slavic cultures in the Baltic Sea region. They are important evidence of the lively cultural exchange and identity of the Nordic peoples during the Viking Age.

For the Scandinavians and Balts of the Viking Age, birds symbolised a connection between earth and sky. In Norse mythology, birds were therefore often regarded as messengers and mediators between gods and humans, promising them protection and good fortune.