Pendant

Shield-shaped silver pendant. The shield is lifelike with a central boss and punched swirl decoration. Shield pendants were part of the jewellery owned by affluent women. There are a number of theories about what the pendants symbolise, but none is so far universally accepted. Grave find, Birka, Bj 825, Adelsö Parish, Uppland.

Image rights: Ola Myrin, Historiska museet/SHM (CC BY 4.0