Shield-shaped pendant

Shield-shaped silver pendant, lifelike with punched swirl ornamentation and a large, arched shield boss. The hanging loop is missing. Pendants of this type were part of the jewellery owned by affluent women. This particular example hung together with others, including two coin pendants, and a large number of beads in a set which was attached to the woman's oval brooch. There are a number of theories about what the pendants symbolise, but none is universally accepted. Grave find, Birka, Bj 835, Adelsö Parish, Uppland.

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

Object number: 266702_HST

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