Animal-head-shaped brooches from Gotland These so-called animal-head-shaped are typical for the Viking Age women’s dress on Gotland, which seems to have been markedly different from that on the mainland. A large number of such brooches have been found on Gotland, often in pairs. They were usually around 5-7 cm long and could vary in quality; some were simple while others were very finely detailed. Most were made of bronze, but some were silvered or gold-plated.
This model is based on a find from Burs on Gotland, which is unusually well-detailed in a late Viking Age style with intertwining animals in Urnes style. There is one specimen at the Historical Museum in Stockholm and another at the British Museum in London. It is unclear whether they come from the same grave and then sold to different institutions, but they may also be from different graves but once cast from the same mold. Regardless, it is most likely that they were worn in pairs, probably in the 11th century.
Here are the original pieces:
https://samlingar.shm.se/object/F3B70730-0593-428D-A3C4-4C3A4B516EF0
and https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/H_1921-1101-100
Made of bronze.
