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The Viking World: A History in Objects

Figurine of Rider with Drinking Horn

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Figurine of Rider with Drinking Horn Figurines within “Viking” culture could have any number of uses, ranging from votive objects to purely ornamental additions to ordinary tools or decorations. More important than its function is the window into Norse imagination that such a figurine presents. Historians value such objects because they provide examples of iconography that truly resonated with members of “Viking” society. From an extensive base of such material evidence, scholars can extrapolate to gain a better understanding of the broader cultural ethos.

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 11^th 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.