Viking Medallions and Pendants

Heilsa! Thanks for stopping in. I've got several hundred pieces and this is just a start. I'll try to keep adding pieces as time permits.

The division between Norse and Celtic is somewhat arbitrary. One is largely derived from the other, and there is a lot of crossover, so be sure to visit the Celtic Medallion Page as well.

The most important Viking Age Medallion, the Thor's Hammer has its own page, don't miss it either!

Click on the images for an enlarged view.


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Open Valknot
#5113; The Valknut was common from the earliest Viking period. It is said to represent the three realms of existence, and the ability to travel among them. It is closely associated with Odin. (1.1"H by .96"W)
The price is $12 in bronze and $20 in silver.

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Closed Valknot
#5114; The same design in a tighter, closed form. (about 1"H by .83"W)
The price in silver is $20, and in bronze it is $12.

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Valknot Futhark
#5141; Odin's symbol, the Valknot, is surrounded by Odin's gift, the Elder Futhark. (1.65" high, 1.3" wide)
The price in silver is $35, Out of Stock
and in bronze it is $15.

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World Tree Futhark
# 5130; The World Tree Yggdrassil, on which Odin hung in his quest for the runes, is shown surrounded by the Elder Futhark, the Runic Alphabet. The Midgard Serpant is shown at it's roots. (1.65" high, 1.3" wide)
The price in bronze is $15, silver is $35.

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Futhark Dragon
#5126; A wise old dragon surrounded by the Elder Futhark.(1.75" high, 1.35" wide)
The price in silver is $35, the price in bronze is $15.

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Odin's Messenger
#5122; This image is found frequently throughout the earlier Viking era. It is thought to represent Odin's Messenger. Here is similar example found in a grave in Uppland, Sweden (1 1/2" high without the suspension loop, .93"W)
The price in silver is $30, and in bronze it is $15.

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Odin's Messenger
#N-52; Here is the same image done by a different craftsman. This one is larger at almost 2" (1 15/16) tall.
The price in silver is $25, and in bronze it is $15.

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Odin
#5118; Odin depicted in typical guise with wide hat, cloak and spear. He's accompanied by Huginn and Muninn (Thought and Memory), the ravens who keep him informed of the happenings on Earth. It's no accident that these are also the "birds of battle" that are fed on the carrion of the battlefield. (2.05"H with suspension loop, .68"W)
The price in silver is $35, in bronze $15..

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Frigg
#5116; "The Queen of Heaven, and Odin's wife. She who knows all the secrets of the world."
The price in silver is $35, in bronze $15.

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Frigga Ear Spoon
#1300; Viking men and ladies were fastidious about cleanliness, and decorative ear spoons have been found in several graves. This one depicts Frigga offering a horn. It's about 3" tall including the ring.
The price is $45 in silver.

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Thor
#5147; Thor is shown with his Belt of Strength, Iron Gauntets, and of course his Hammer. With the suspension ring it's about 2" tall.
The price is $35 in silver, and $15 in bronze.

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Seated Thor
#5112; a close copy of a small bronze figure found in northern Iceland.
It is thought to depict Thor with his Hammer, and is about 1 1/2" tall.
The price is $40 in silver, and $20 in bronze.

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Seated Thor Statue
#S83; This is a close copy of a small bronze figure found in northern Iceland.
It is thought to depict Thor with his Hammer, and is about 3 1/8" tall. Cast in bronze and imported from Sweden, the price is $45.

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The Sacred Marriage
#5121; This pattern was common before and during the Viking Age. Here are two examples found in Helgo, Uppland, Sweden, and currently in the Statens Historiska, Stockholm. The originals were often gilded or wrapped in gold foil. It is thought to represent Freyr and Freya. The names are early forms of "Lord" and "Lady". (1.67" high, .84" wide)
The price is $35 in silver, and $15 in bronze.

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Freyr Pendant
#cc-Freyr; A fertility God (obviously), this was modeled after a series found in Sweden.
About 1 3/8" tall, it's fully three dimensional and very nicely done. Cast in red bronze with a silver ring it is $20. Sterling silver is $40.
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Freyr Pendant
#5110; a slightly smaller version by a different craftsperson. It's about 1.1" tall. The price in silver is $40, in bronze, $20.

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Freyr Statue
Freyr, a fertility God (obviously) was one of the three main Gods worshipped in old Uppsalla along with Odin and Thor. This is a small bronze statue closely modeled after one found in Rällinge, Sweden, and now in the Statens Historiska Museum, Stockholm. It's about 2 1/4" high. Imported from Sweden, the price is $40.

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Ing
5123; Ing is the earlier form of Freyr. The full name is Ingvi-Frey, Lord Ing. This is said to be styled after one from Norway, but I haven't been able to track down the original. It's about 1 5/8' tall including the ring, and about 5/8" wide.
The price in silver is $35, in bronze $15.

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Tyr
5148; Tyr is the one handed God, having lost a hand in the binding of Fenrus. He is brave in war and learned in lore. He is invoked in matters of war and law, and his rune was often placed on weapons. Here He is depicted with a sword and the bound Fenrus. It's 2.1" tall with the loop.
The price in silver is $35, in bronze $15.

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Freya
#5115; Freya, a Goddess of love, beauty and fertility, one of the Vanir. Shown here with her familiar, "the mouser". Freya collects half of the souls of the battlefield dead, Odin gets the other half. It's about 2" tall with the loop, and .662" wide.
The price in silver is $35, in bronze $15.

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Freya riding a cat
#5119; Freya, shown riding Her familiar. She is wearing her necklace Brisingamen, and little else. It's about 1 1/2" tall and 1 1/8" wide.
The price in silver is $35, in bronze $15.

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Freya, seated
#5111; Freya, shown seated with a bird on her outstreched hand. It's cast in the round and is about 1 1/8" tall.
The price in silver is $40, in bronze $20.

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Iduna
#5117; Iduna bringing the golden apples of health and youthfulness. My mother, who is ninety years of age, wears one of these and she golfs or bowls depending on the season. Of course your mileage may be different.
The price in silver is $35, in bronze $15.

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Loki and the Gripping Beast
#81-250003 (really); This pendant is from the Varby Hoard (Swedish), and shows the Jellinge style gripping beast. It dates from about 940 AD and is believed to represent Utgard-Loki. There were a number of similar pieces with the same motif in the hord.
Here's the original piece upon which this one is based. It's in silver and about 1 3/16" tall. $40.

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Loki and the Gripping Beast
#NV29; This is a larger version of the pendant from the Varby Hoard (Swedish), and shows the Jellinge style gripping beast. It dates from about 940 AD and is believed to represent Utgard-Loki. There were a number of similar pieces with the same motif in the hord.
Here's the original piece upon which this one is based. (1.92" high, 1.65" wide)
It's $40 in silver. I have one in stock.

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Traveller's Charm
#5131; The image is from the Gotland Stone, with two travelers on the “whale’s road”, the sea. On the back in runes is an English translation of Frigg’s blessing to Odin as he was leaving on a journey:
"Unharmed go forth,
Unharmed return,
Unharmed back home.
About 1 3/4" high with the loop, and about 3/4" wide, the price in silver is $35, and in bronze $15.

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Ullr
#5146; Ullr is the God of skiing, archery and the hunt. Fair to look upon, he is so skilled in these things that none can match him. The medallion is bit more than an inch in diameter, and is $35 in silver, $15 in bronze.

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Ullr Coin
In Viking times it was common to use coins as pendants. This is a coin in honor of Ullr, designed in the fashion of the Viking age, but NOT a copy of an existing artifact. The front shows Ullr in conventional fashion on skis with bow and arrow in hand. The back is a classic cross of double-lines (guides to cutting the coin into quarters) with the text VINLANDMONETA (trans: Vinland Money). Note that the text terminator on the inscription is a Thor's Hammer, rather than the Cross used by Christain Vikings of the tenth century. The coin is actually minted between hand engraved dies, so no two are identical, and the edges are irregular. Like many peroid coins, it is very thin (.059") and light, and a bit less than 7/8" in diameter. It comes in silver and bronze. The silver version is 90% silver, a bit less pure than Sterling (92.5%), but more typical of the better period coinage. The bronze is 95% copper and 5% zink, again typical of period coinage. Both have soldered sterling silver jump rings. The silver penny is $15, and the bronze is $(out of stock).

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Leif Eriksson Coin
In the same vein is this coin of Leif Eriksson. Again the silver penny is $15, and the bronze is $7.

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Seat of the Norns
Seat of the Norns; there was a class of Scandinavian women who practiced Seith or prophesy, who were well documented in the sagas. A group of high status graves has been associated with this class, based on the artifacts found, including staffs, which may have been used for magick and ritual. (Neil Price, "Viking Age Sorcerers", Viking Heritage 4/2004). In these graves "Finds of tiny pendants in the form of miniature chares are not uncommon...". This is a reproduction of such a chair found in Birka grave No. 968. It's about 1 5/8" (.613") high and 1/2" ( .47") wide. Done in silver and imported from Sweden, the price is $28.

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Gnezdovo Viking Face
This fierce warrior was found in a Viking hoard in Gnezdovo, Russia. The original piece is in Moskow's Hermitage Museum. The pose with staring eyes and pursed lips is often thought to represent Thor. The pendant is about 1 3/4" high and 1 1/4" wide.
It's price in silver is $35, and in bronze it is $(sold out).

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The Birka Sun Whorl
The Sun Whorl was symbolic of warmth and prosperity. This is a great piece of layered granulation in silver, about 1 3/8" (35 mm) in diameter. I like this one. $55
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Hejslund Rock Crystal Pendant
A elegant combination of natural rock crystal and silver granulation work, the original piece was part of a magnificent necklace found in Hejslaunds, Gotland. Here is the rest of the necklace. I have three sizes of beads,
15 mm (about 9/16"), $42.
21 mm (about 7/8"), $46.
34 mm (about 1 3/8"), $55.
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Hagebyhöga Filigree
Granulation work was, and is, among the most difficult forms of silver work. Here is a piece with a fine elegance and symmetry. The original of this piece was found in a cremation burial in Hagebyböga, Östergötland dating from the 8th-10th centuries. It's about 1 3/16" in diameter (30 mm) and 1 1/2" tall. $48.
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The Bird of Valltjärn
The Bird of Valltjärn is another peice of granualtion work. The original piece was found hidden under a tree root near the river of Vindeln in Lappland Sweden. It's dated to about 1100 A.D. The two feet are articulated separate pieces, and the piece is about 2 1/2" tall. In silver it is $78.
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The Tolsta Moon
Lunula or moon images occured in a number of places. This one is from Tolsta in Hälsingland. Here's a picture of a similar original piece. It's about 1 1/2" wide. In silver, the price is $46.
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The Bird Lunula
#8101; Here's another from the Eastern Vikings, the Rus. The original piece is from Nitra-Lupka, Poland. It's about 1 3/8" wide and 1 3/16" high. In silver, the price is $35, and in bronze it is $15.
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The Grape Lunula
#8102; Here's another from the same area. It's about 1 1/2" wide and 1 3/8" high. In silver, the price is $35, and in bronze it is $15.
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Viking Boar
#1226: The boar was a symbol of warlike fierceness in Viking times. Viking helms were often decorated with a boar. This is a stylized boar pendant in the Celtic or Viking tradition. It's just over 2" long and 1 3/8" wide. The price in silver is $55, and in bronze it is $20.
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Celtic-Viking Boar
#cc-boar: The boar was a symbol of warlike fierceness in Viking times. Viking helms were often decorated with a boar, especially in the earlier times. This is a stylized boar pendant in the Celtic or Viking tradition. It's a bit over 1 3/4" long and 1 1/2" high. The price in silver is $(Out of Stock), and in bronze $20.
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Bear
#cc-bear: In the same style, here's a bear for the berserkers. It's about 2" long and 1 3/8" high. The price in silver is $40, and in bronze $20.
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Wolf
#cc-wolf: And again, a wolf for the wolf riders. It's about 2 1/4" long and 1 1/4" high. The price in silver is $40, and in bronze $20.
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Dragon Knot
#cc-dragonknot: Here's a more traditional rendition of a Viking Dragon, with the same design on both sides. It's about 2" tall without the ring, and almost 15/16" wide. The price in bronze is $(out of stock), silver is $40.
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Deer
#cc-deer: A deer with styized horns, it's about 2" long and 1 3/4" tall.
The price in bronze is $(sold out), silver is $40.
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Carnelian Bergen Moon
Many cultures wore images of the moon. Among the Vikings they seem most common among the eastern Swedish Vikings, but this one was found in Bergen, Norway. It is a copy of an early stone age pendant. It is chipped out, and lacks the polished surface of a late Stone Age pendant. Such pendants were found in later years, and were widely worn, and used for amulets and charms, from the very early Viking Age up until nearly modern times. They are roughly chipped out of carnelian, and the sizes and shapes will vary, but are mostly about 1 1/4“ long. Each comes on a string with six other carnelian beads, ready to wear. Imported from Sweden, the price is $9.
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Gullrum Comb Pendant
Everyday items were often depicted in jewelry, and here is a comb pendant. It's about 1 1/2 inches wide, and 1 1/4 inches high. The original was found in Gullrum, Gotland. Imported from Sweden, $29.

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Eldsberg Flintstriker Pendant
Here's another everyday item, the characteristic Viking Age firestriker. It's about 1 1/2" wide and fabricated in silver as a combination of repoussé and wire work. Imported from Sweden, $40.

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Hesselbjerg Amulet
And once again, here's a copy of an amulet found in Hesselbjerg, Denmark. It combines a sickle for good crops, a Thor's Hammer for protection, and a fire steel for a warmth of home and hearth. The ring is about 7/8" in outside diameter, and the amulet is about 2" tall with the ring. In silver, imported from Sweden, $48.

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Arrowhead
This is a forged iron arrowhead, replicated in silver or bronze. About 3" long, it actually has the socket for the arrow shaft, and could be mounted on an arrow if you like (3/8" shaft). It would be just the thing for a bit of period vampire hunting.
It could also be considered a minature spearhead as a symbol of Odin.
In silver the price is $40, and in bronze it is $15.

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Viking Whetstone

In Viking times small whetstones were often worn as pendants. These are reproductions of whetstone pendants found in a Viking Age ship wreck at Kalåstad, Norway. Similar pendants have been found in York, Birka, and Gotland. They are cut from Jasper, the cutting action somewhere between hard black Arkensas and translucent Arkansas stones. That means they are very fine, and suitable for final edge and polish rather than removing nicks from a damaged blade. They vary in color and size, but are mostly muted reds and greens, and about 3" tall, 11/16" wide, and 1/4" thick. Some of them are quite striking, but I expect the best sharpening would be achieved with the plainer ones. If you let me know your preference I'll try to oblige. Each comes with a string and descriptive packaging. Imported from Sweden, the price is $10.


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Runic Direction Wheel
#5128; "A charm to see you safely there and back." The four quarters direction wheel, with runes to mark the directions. It's about 1 1/4" in diameter.
In silver $35, in bronze $15.

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Solar Wheel
#5012; A very early Nordic symbol representing the sun and the four quarters. The points of this rendition are terminated with the open "Trishulas" of the triple goddess. Sometimes worn by Celtic Christians as well as Heathens, it has a simple elegance. (1.15" dia.)
In silver $25, in bronze $15.

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Sun Boat
#5129; Another very early Nordic symbol representing the four quartered sun, this time traveling across the sky in her boat. Inspired by the Bronze age rock carvings from Bohuslän, Sweden, this piece is about 1 1/2" tall and just over an inch wide.
In silver $25, in bronze $15.

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Raven Solar Wheel
#3102; Here's a Solar Wheel with one of Odin's ravens. It's a little over 1" high.
The price is $25 in silver, and $15 in bronze.

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Eagle Solar Wheel
#3101; and another with an eagle, about 1 3/8" high.
In silver $25, in bronze $15.

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Wolf Solar Wheel
#3100; Here's yet another with a wolf.
In silver $25, in bronze $15.

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Double headed bird of prey,
or Midgard Serpent.
(1.56"H)
#NV11; The price is (out of stock) in silver,
$25 in bronze, and
$10 in pewter.

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Sythian Bear
#5603; Here's one for the berserkers out there. It's about 1 1/2" high, and 1 1/4" wide.
The price in silver is $35, and in bronze it is $15.

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Fenris Bound
This is an image found wherever the Norse traveled, from Dublin to Kiev. It is still in widespread use today as protection charm for travelers. It is painted on the ends of Gipsy and Tinker wagons, and has appeared on traveling boxes since the Viking Age. The image is of Fenris bound, seemingly by his own tongue. The pose is typical, with the head twisted backward so he is looking over his shoulder, and the tongue entangling the feet.

#5108; This medallion is the result of a chance encounter with an Irish hitchhiker. He was wearing a medallion that was obviously ancient, and of interesting design. He said it had been in his family for at least 200 years, and had been passed down from eldest son to eldest son. Since he was traveling to America, his father gave him the medallion for protection on the journey. Although it was well worn, this is what that medallion might have looked like when it was new. (1.2" dia.)

The price is $35 in silver, and $15 in bronze.

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Fenris Bound
#5107; The same image is available in a solid medalion without the cut outs.
The price is $35 in silver, and $15 in bronze.

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Irminsul
#5142; The Irminsul is the World Tree of the Germanic peoples, especially the Anglo-Saxons. The tree, or pillar of Irmin, points steadfastly toward the North Star shown above. It's about an inch and a half high, without the suspension loop.
The price in silver is $35, in bronze $15.

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Kroner Dragon
#5120; The design is taken from a Norse coin depicting a Viking ship prow. The shape is typical of "hack silver", coins or other objects that were cut up to make change. Transactions were conducted by weight, and pieces were often cut to make an exact amount.(1.58" wide)
The price is $30 in silver, and $15 in bronze.

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Bronze Bear Claws
Many cultures wore bear claws. The Vikings wore them as a sign of strength in battle. Other cultures wore them as a sign of skill in hunting. These are exceptionally nice castings, about 1 3/8" tall.
In bronze, $16.

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Bronze Bear Claws
Many cultures wore bear claws. The Vikings wore them as a sign of strength in battle. Other cultures wore them as a sign of skill in hunting. These are exceptionally nice castings, about 1 3/4" tall. The loop is large enough for either a chain or leather thong.
In silver, $60.

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Glory Twigs
#5132; The Glory Twigs pendant is an open casting that represents a bind rune containing the entire Futhark. It's a bit over an inch and a half tall.
The price in silver is $15, and in bronze $10.

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Round Ouroboros
#5134; The Midgard Serpent depicted biting his own tail, about one inch wide.
The price in silver is $20, in bronze it is $10.

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Infinity Ouroboros
#5135; The Midgard Serpent twisted into an infinity symbol. It's about 5/8" wide and 2" high with the suspension loop.
The price in silver is $30, in bronze it is $15.

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Viking Dragon
#5133; A Viking Dragon done in the round with nice detail and good weight. It's about 3/4" wide, and 2 1/2" high with the suspension loop.
The price is $35 in silver, in bronze it is $15.

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Axe Knot Dragon
#5136; A knotwork dragon twisted into the shape of an axe, again done in the round with nice datail. It's about 1 3/8" wide, and 2" high.
The price in silver is $40, and in bronze it is $20.

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Hammer and Anvil
The symbolism of the Hammer and Anvil is widespread. Here's a small Hammer and Anvil pendant done in the full round. It's about 1" tall including the suspension loop, and about 7/8" long. Done in silver, the price is $25.

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Silver Viking Ships
I found these in Denmark. They're cast in Danish Fine silver (a little more pure than our sterling) with great detail.
#C-37; about 1 1/16" tall, and 3/4" wide, $25,
#C-36; about 1" tall, and 11/16" wide, $18,

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Lur Horns
Lur horns are huge bronze horns used for signaling down the fjord or from ship to ship. They sound a little like Alpine horns. The low pitch travels great distances. The Danish National Museum has the sound of these horns piped into one of the Viking exhibits. The sound is deep and eerie. It's guaranteed to send shivers up your spine! You really wouldn't want to live in a lonely Irish coastal village, and hear that sound from the sea on a foggy morning! Here's one that was found in peat bog in Denmark, and is currently in the Nationalmuseet, Copenhagen.
These are also cast in Danish Fine silver in Denmark. The single horns are out of stock. The small double horns are $8.50 (about .6" tall) and the large double horns are out of stock as well.

Again, don't forget to check out the most important Norse Pendant, the Thor's Hammer, which has its own page.

Ordering

Shipping and handling is $6 per order (not per item) anywhere in the US. Standard shipping is by Priority Post, insured if warranted by the value of the order. This doesn't actually cover the cost in most cases, but it's easy to calculate, and is my way of saying "thank you". Shipping is available for most other parts of the world, but usually costs more. Email for a quote. Note; shipping to Canada can be very slow.

New York State residents should add sales tax.

Most folks use a credit card and the encrypted secure order form. If you prefer, you can FAX your order to 716-731-3715. I'll need the type of card (Discover, Visa, or Master Charge), card number and expiration date. If course I'll also need to know what you are buying, and where to send it. Please include your e-mail address.

If you don't have a FAX, you can call that same number, and if your timing is good just speak to me. No collect calls.

If instant gratification is unavailable, you can always send a Postal Money Order or check to:

Ragweed Forge
PO Box 326
Sanborn, NY 14132

The Postal Snail may be slow, but he's faithful and discreet. Checks may be held for clearance, so if you're in a hurry, use a money order.

Everything on the page should be on hand and ready to ship. However some items may be short supply, so if you are ordering by mail, you might want to e-mail first so that I can hold your item (ragnar@ragweedforge.com).


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