Viking Art

Viking Art, pre-Christian Scandinavian art of the period circa ad 800 to 1050. During this period northern Europe was dominated by the powerful seafaring Vikings. Viking remains have been found principally in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, but also in Finland, England, and northern France.

The main sources of Viking artifacts are burial chambers and grave sites. Chieftains were buried in large graves containing lavishly ornamented swords, axes, sleighs, carts, beds, and other objects. In Norway, chiefs were often buried in actual wooden ships, as at Oseberg and Gokstad. The principal Viking motifs were animals—especially horses, snakes, swans, and dragons—with which all burial objects, including the ships themselves, were finely carved. The carving is vigorous but delicate, emphasizing long sinuous curves and intertwining geometric designs. Gold- and silverwork, which decorates objects such as sword handles, is done in the same spidery filigree style.

Besides burial objects, the other two principal forms of Viking art are jewelry and runic stones. Jewelry was usually of silver, occasionally of gold, and included medallions, pendants, pins, and clasps, all featuring intricate metalwork or filigree decoration; braided necklaces of spun silver wires were the most technically accomplished pieces. Runic stones were limestone blocks carved in relief with elegant inscriptions in runes and with designs commemorating special events, heroic chieftains, or legendary exploits.