CIRCA 1100 A.D.

Both Viking men and women wore fine brooches made of gold, silver, and bronze to fasten cloaks and dresses. While maintaining a functional use, these brooches also signified status. Patterns of stylized animals are a common motif, formed of filigree and granulation. The present example is a particularly fine example of the type. For similar disc brooches see the hoard discovered in Gåtebo, Sweden, fig. 492 in E. Roesdahl and D.M. Wilson, From Viking to Crusaders.