Figurine of Rider with Drinking Horn
The Figurine of a Rider with Drinking Horn was discovered in Leicestershire, England through metal detector, after which it was recorded in the Portable Antiquities Scheme and taken by the collection at the British Museum. It likely dates from the 11th century. Fashioned from a copper alloy and formed in an Anglo-Scandinavian style, the figurine depicts an equestrian figure clad with a conical helm and carrying a drinking horn.
It does not bear overt iconography of any major gods, suggesting that it would not have operated as a votive object. It does, however, bear similarities to a common motif of the mounted horseman drinking as he enters Valhalla. The “Eiriksmal”, or “Eirik’s Poem” in translation, contains mention of this practice, as it describes Odin ordering shield-maidens to provide the approaching heroes with wine.[1] A translation can be found at Voluspa.org.
It may have been that the figurine might in fact be a spur goad, used for the guiding of draught animals. The implications of the find might be a greater reliance by Norse society on livestock and horses than commonly perceived. Religious imagery appeared on all sorts of objects, even those which have an ordinary function. Perhaps, while this figurine was in use, the possibility of a glorious arrival in Valhalla lurked in the user’s mind. At the very least, we can ascertain that equestrian figures like the one featured here were common figures in the Danelaw, the result of artisans looking to their surroundings for inspiration.
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