The Viking World: A History in ObjectsMain MenuGallery viewA galleryTag Cloudtag cloud pageThemesA path of thematic categoriesAuthor IndexExplore the collection by authorWorks CitedReferencesAdam Bigelow3afa9c7ecebf516bba6609664b1b12f79c54bf77Caitlin Donahue61b7e986e7c71d400e5c803912ed83c0cf65252fCaroline Harvey1783f21a5882b5b4d3d0b6c174d058052a5ff7eaEdward Hershewee701ef220480b51ca728fc9c719bc094cf813655Martin Hoffmana1fd203afd9a84ee8db567e188cf6ed1d269386eTyler Hruby23493f763b312110686cfafc62578fd0ab5f3833Brittany N. Johnsonc1c1763339f8fa953e3c907c6bb8a3bad0c28b2cCarlos Lua Pineda0a28cc23b0aa00b4f24a9e205aeb57fbdb07ff01Moira McConnell710633400590ea38533ea3412c01fc5056288180Clara McCurdy9aec76477d0b55f9c685c47330d6786ec98182e1Elise McIlhaneyef48481634ff342c8b43c9d56f678b2d3562fb69Cameron Meikle669a5682bfbfd603130a26e25628f24eb07e6295Alexander Christopher Newkirk019c2f5b38c043507251d1789e2fdf47e61c3b7fBenja Reilly816c23aa0d444213fb2d1ef33555a15617e08228Oliver Statenc625ae8c3926f5e1a4268bc91d6a6f4cdb1e7fb6Liam Sullivanaa3a1dccb90c7fe4646b61c4af594abbb0c5574aRead Wilder31bf4715220144a665996f2e6cae80a1a8611eadAliza Yazdanicd49f227d88c72331226ddf574bf56c37308cd10Austin Masonf6137011c68eb792c6e14634815583b15e707dea
Glass Bead Bracelet
12017-05-10T09:49:17-07:00Benja Reilly816c23aa0d444213fb2d1ef33555a15617e08228164562A bracelet made of glass beads.plain2017-05-10T10:02:44-07:00Moesgård Museum. Glass Bead Bracelet. Still Image, September 11, 2015. AM7009. Moesgård Museum. https://www.kulturarv.dk/mussam/VisGenstand.action?genstandId=6413745.775-1049AM7009CC BY56.6679977,8.7042857Material is made from glassMoesgård MuseumResen, Fellenbæk"Viking" (750-1066)Benja Reilly816c23aa0d444213fb2d1ef33555a15617e08228
12017-05-24T10:09:20-07:00Austin Masonf6137011c68eb792c6e14634815583b15e707deaMap ViewAustin Mason2An interactive map of all the objects in the collectiongoogle_maps2017-05-24T11:39:30-07:00Austin Masonf6137011c68eb792c6e14634815583b15e707dea
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12017-05-21T22:19:49-07:00Glass Bead Bracelet9Object Pageplain2017-09-21T22:36:05-07:00This object may seem like a small, inconsequential item, but in fact it illustrates the values and priorities of the Viking Age. The discovery of this bracelet helps us to realize and reinforce the conception of natural resources as wealth and the idea that cosmetic items help to relay status and privilege of an individual.
This is a small 13-piece glass string bead bracelet. The sizes of the beads vary as well as the colors. The material of the beads seems to be wholly glass, however, amber beads are not uncommon. The beads illustrate various styles and fashions of the time. The fourth bead from the left seems to be a bead made in Ireland, due to the slanted lines across the top and bottom of the bead, as well as the dots along the center of the bead.[1]The other beads along the bracelet display some other typical styles: for example, the simple vertical lines running along the bead, and the “window-like” checkers.
In 1933, this object among many others was discovered in a grave approximately 20 meters from Felding Brook in Resen parish, Fellenbæk, Denmark. Due to modern agricultural practices, such as tilling with large machinery, it is quite common for artifacts to be unearthed. It seems this bracelet is most definitely dated between 775-1049, however, more specifically sometime during the 9th century between 850 and 900.[2]Because this is a grave good, it would most likely have been deposited purposely with the person being buried.[3]
Due to the fact this is a bracelet of glass beads, in this instance it would have most likely been used as a purely cosmetic item. Yet in Kaupang, an important trading center, the use of glass beads as currency preceded the use of silver coins as currency.[4]However, it is more likely that this intricate bracelet illustrated status and wealth of the wearer. According to William Fitzhugh, “glass and amber beads were a sign of status, prestige, and perhaps regional affiliation.”[5]Therefore, a small bracelet such as this could have enhanced the influence and social power of an individual.[6]Because beads, namely glass and amber ones, were so valued, they help archeologists and historians understand changing styles and fashions over time.
Uncovering an object such as this bracelet would give concrete evidence of some of the grave goods of this era. Understanding death rituals and rites, helps us to make connections and draw lines between different polities. We are also able to recognize any intricate art designs and fashions that have changed over the years, and identify any mixture of styles from other cultures.