Images of Viking Age Norsewomen

Below is a small collection of images I have been able to put together, largely due to the kindness of people using Creative Commons licenses. The images are sorted by modern-day country, or island.

Denmark

No specific dating

Valkyries at the National Museum of DenmarkValkyries at the National Museum of Denmark

Left: A figure with knotted pigtails. Centre: Horse riders facing a figure, the left is from Tissø (Nationalmuseets Drama i Oldtiden), dated to the 10th century (Langer, 2000). Right: A 'valkyrie' from Nygård, Bornholm (Nationalmuseet Danmark).
Photographs by :bloodofox: at Wikimedia, edited for contrast by myself.

England

Undated

Valkyrie with shield

Above: A silver pendant from Suffolk. For more information, see pages 24 and 58 of the 2001-3 Annual Report of the Portable Antiquities Scheme [Comment in 2022: This is an Internet Archive link to a PDF.]

11th century

Above: Believed to be a depiction of the goddess Sigyn, on the Gosforth Cross.
Artwork by Julius Magnus Petersen, believed to be in the public domian.
See Also Another panel on the cross, showing a women, and a Valkyrie from Norfolk.

Norway

9th century

See: The Oseberg Tapestry, and a reconstuction.

10th century and later

See: The Tu runestone from Rogaland, N 228. Stylistically dated to ca. 990-1010 AD (Rundata, 1993).

Russia

10th century

See: A 'Valkyrie' amulet from the Gnezdovo hoard. In The Way to the East [PDF].

Sweden

8th century

Bilden http://www.historiska.se/data/?bild=223870 som visar objektet http://www.historiska.se/data/?foremal=271215http://www.historiska.se/data/?bild=22806

Above Left: Strap-fitting from Solberga, Östergötland, showing a giantess wearing a shawl. Dated to the 8th century by Holmqvist (1960).
Photo by John Ljungkvist SHMM
Above Right: The centre-right silver pendent is from Sibble, Södermanland. Dated by Holmqvist (1960).
Photo by Statens historiska museer SHM
See Also: Guldgubber figures found in a post-hole, dated 710-720 CE from Slöinge, Halland. Figures 6 and 27 from Hupfauf (2006).

8-9th century

Bilden http://www.historiska.se/data/?bild=19753 som visar objektet http://www.historiska.se/data/?foremal=108947

Above: Silver-gilt pendant from Tuna, Uppland. Dating by Holmqvist (1960).
Photo by:Statens historiska museer SHM

9-10th century

Bilden http://www.historiska.se/data/?bild=322786 som visar objektet http://www.historiska.se/data/?foremal=456867

Above: Silver earspoon from Birka grave Bj 507. Dating by Holmqvist (1960).
Photo by: Ulrik Skans SHMM

10th century and later

Bilden http://www.historiska.se/data/?bild=18093 som visar objektet http://www.historiska.se/data/?foremal=108864 Bilden http://www.historiska.se/data/?bild=18103 som visar objektet http://www.historiska.se/data/?foremal=108916

Above Left: Silver pendant from Klinta, Öland. Dating by Holmqvist (1960).
Photo by: Statens historiska museer SHM
Above Right: Silver pendant from Birka grave Bj 968. Dating by Holmqvist (1960).
Photo by: Statens historiska museer SHM

Bilden http://www.historiska.se/data/?bild=18171 som visar objektet http://www.historiska.se/data/?foremal=107873 Bilden http://www.historiska.se/data/?bild=19747 som visar objektet http://www.historiska.se/data/?foremal=108915

Above Left: Silver pendant of Freya from Aska, Östergötland. Dating by Holmqvist (1960).
Photo by: Christer Åhlin SHM
Above Right: Silver pendant from Birka grave Bj 825. Dating by Holmqvist (1960).
Photo by: Statens historiska museer SHM

Sweden (Gotland)

8-9th century

Valkyrie from the Tjangvide picture stone. Picturestone from Etelhem

Left: Gotlandic picture stone from Tjängvide, dated to the 8-9th c. (Holmqvist, 1960). Photograph by “Berig” at Wikimedia.
Right: Picturestone from Etelhem, date taken from information plaque at Fornsalen Museum, Visby. Photograph by Wolfgang Sauber at Wikimedia.

No Specific Dating

Hildr on the Smiss Picture Stone, Gotland Hildr on the Stora Hammars (1) Picture Stone, Gotland Valkyrie on the Hunninge (1) Picture Stone, Gotland

Left: Hildr on the Smiss picture-stone. Centre: Hildr on the Stora Hammars I picture-stone. Right: Image from the Hunninge (I) Runestone.
Photographs by “Berig” at Wikimedia.

Bibliography


©2010-11 Rebecca Lucas. See above images for their respective licenses.