Pendant

Bird-shaped bronze pendant. This type appears within Sámi culture in northern Scandinavia, as well as in Finland and northern Russia. It probably had a magical significance and may be thought to depict 'Saivolodde', the bird of the sacred mountains which helped the noaidi in their activities. Part of a hoard find, Unna Saiva, Gällivare Parish, Lappland.

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