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Expressions of belief, pendant, solar disc, sun disc

European Museums, The British Museum

Solar disc gold sheet with three-point design

Expressions of belief

Christianity made little headway in Scandinavia before the later A.D. 900s. The figure in gold sheet shows a bearded and helmeted man, performing what may be a pagan ritual dance. The five bracteate pendants may have been made for use by high status individuals at religious festivals. The motifs on many bracteates appear to be connected with pagan beliefs, especially the cult of the chief god, Woodan (later Odin)

A.D. 500s - 800s. Purchased with a contribution from The Art Fund, Roma, Gotland, Sweden, 1921,1101.361; Gotland, Sweden, 1921,1101.363 and 365; Forslov, Gotland, Sweden, 1921,1101.367-368. Probably from the Kongsvik Hoard, Norway, bequeathed by Sir Augustus Wollaston Franks, OA 5798

Supplementary images:

Solar disc gold sheet with three-point design
Taken on  Monday 17th of August 2015
Device: OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP.
Model: SP800UZ
Genre:  500 - 800 A.D.
Source:  London, United Kingdom
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