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!
A note on pricing; for those of you who aren't aware, the price of silver has risen dramatically. You will note that some items are a lot more expensive than other iems that appear very similar. This is because they were made more recently with the higher priced silver.
They do not come with chains. There is such a variety of chains that I think you are better off buying one locally. You can get a far better selection, and a better price, at your local discount store than I could provide.
** As you will notice, There is no longer pricing for these on this website, Information only, Please visit https://ragweedforgestore.com/collections/jewelry For Purchases and New models**
Click on the images for an enlarged view.
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)
in bronze, in silver.
Closed Valknot
#5114; The same design in a tighter, closed form. (about 1"H by .83"W)
in silver , and in bronze
Valknot Futhark
#5141; Odin's symbol, the Valknot, is surrounded by Odin's gift, the Elder Futhark. (1.65" high, 1.3" wide)
in silver
and in bronze
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)
in bronze , silver
Futhark Dragon
#5126; A wise old dragon surrounded by the Elder Futhark.(1.75" high, 1.35" wide)
in silver . in bronze
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)
in silver , and in bronze
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. There isn't a loop on the back for a chain or thong, so if you want to wear it on a necklace you'll have to run it through the horns or add a ring.
in silver and in bronze
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)
in silver , in bronze
Frigg
#5116; "The Queen of Heaven, and Odin's wife. She who knows all the secrets of the world."
in silver , in bronze
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.
Silver , bronze
Spiral Ear Spoon
#1400; Viking men and ladies were fastidious about cleanliness, and decorative ear spoons have been found in several graves. This one has an attractive spiral motif on the upper part of the handle. It's about 2 3/4" tall including the ring.
Silver , bronze
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.
in silver, and in bronze.
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.
in silver, and in bronze.
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)
in silver, and in bronze.
Freyr Pendant
#5110; A fertility God (obviously), this was modeled after a series found in Sweden.
It's about 1.1" tall.
in silver , in bronze,
Ing
5123; Ing is the earlier form of Freyr. The full name is Ingvi-Freyr, Lord Ing. The image and inscription were supplied by a visiting Norwegian practioner of the Old Religion. It's said to be an invocation to Ing, that he provides the opportunity to achieve the most of one's potential. Ing supplies the opportunity, it up to you to make it happen. It's about 1 5/8' tall including the ring, and about 5/8" wide.
in silver, in bronze.
Tyr
5148; Tyr is the one handed God, having lost a hand in the binding of Fenris. 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 Fenris. It's 2.1" tall with the loop.
in silver , in bronze
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.
in silver, in bronze
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.
in silver , in bronze
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.
in silver , in bronze
Iduna
#5117; Iduna bringing the golden apples of health and youthfulness. My mother, who was in her 90's, wore one of these and golfed two or three times a week in the Summer. . Of course your mileage may be different. It's about 2" tall including the loop.
in silver , in bronze
Bragi
#5151; Bragi is the son of Odin and the husband of Iduna. Snori Sturluson writes in the Gylfaginning; "One is called Bragi: he is renowned for wisdom, and most of all for fluency of speech and skill with words. He knows most of skaldship, and after him skaldship is called bragr." He's depicted with the usual long beard, lyre and drinking horn. It's just over 2" tall.
in silver , in bronze
Njord
#5155; Njord, or Njörðr, is the father of Freya and Freyr, and is associated with the sea, seafaring, wind, fishing, wealth, and crop fertility. The pendant is just over 2" tall.
in silver , in bronze .
Traveler'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,
in silver, bronze
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. Silver
and bronze
Ullr Silver Penny
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 (translation: Vinland Money). Note that the text terminator on the inscription is a Thor's Hammer, rather than the Cross used by Christain Vikings on similar coins 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's minted from "coin silver", which is 90% silver, a bit less pure than Sterling (92.5%), and more typical of the better period coinage.
Viking Whetstone
In Viking times small whetstones were often worn as pendants. These are reproductions of whetstone pendants found in a Viking Age York. Similar pendants have been found in Kalåstad, Norway, Birka, and Gotland. They are cut from Jasper, and seem about midway between hard white and hard black Arkansas stones in action. That means they are very fine, and suitable for final edge 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. Each comes with a string and descriptive packaging. Imported from Sweden,
Leif Eriksson Coin
In the same vein is this coin of Leif Eriksson.
The silver penny
and the bronze
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, in bronze
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, and in bronze
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. in silver, and in bronze
Mammen Axe
#NV16; Here is the famous Mammen Axe rendered as a pendant. It's three dimentional with a pattern on each side. It's about 2" long and an inch high.
in silver, and in bronze
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,
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 and in bronze
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, in bronze
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.)
Bronze, silver
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, in bronze
Raven Solar Wheel
#3102; Here's a Solar Wheel with one of Odin's ravens. It's a little over 1" high.
in silver, and in bronze.
Eagle Solar Wheel
#3101; and another with an eagle, about 1 3/8" high.
In silver, in bronze
Wolf Solar Wheel
#3100; Here's yet another with a wolf.
In silver, in bronze
Double headed bird of prey,
or Midgard Serpent. (1.56"H)
#NV11;
Sythian Bear
#5603; Here's one for the berserkers out there. It's about 1 1/2" high, and 1 1/4" wide.
in silver, and in bronze
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.)
Fenris Bound
#5107; The same image is available in a solid medalion without the cut outs.
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.
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)
Silver 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.
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.
Round Ouroboros
#5134; The Midgard Serpent depicted biting his own tail, about one inch wide.
Infinity Ouroboros
#5135; The Midgard Serpent twisted into an infinity symbol. It's about 5/8" wide and 2" high with the suspension loop.
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.
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.
Hammer and Anvil
#2026; 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.
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.
Again, don't forget to check out the most important Norse Pendant, the Thor's Hammer, which has its own page.
Please Click on the Credit Card Symbol Below for the order form
Back to the home page
