Add to albumThese bone pins were found at Jarlshof in Shetland. They were used as dress pins or hairpins, sometime between 850 and 1100. These pins are particularly fine examples, and the product of accomplished craftsmen.
The heads of the pins were carved into elaborate three-dimensional animal heads.
Bone pins are common finds from Viking settlements, reflecting their common use as dress pins to fasten clothing together or as hairpins. Animal-headed pins have been found widely in Scandinavia, and to a lesser extent in the British Isles.
Record details
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- Online ID: 000-100-042-242-C
- Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
- Project:
National Museums Scotland
Project description View all records in project
- Ref: National Museums Scotland X.HSA 4
- Date: Between 850 and 1100
- Material: Bone; animal head
Bone; animal head
Bone; animal head
Bone; two animal heads
Pin, dress / hairpin
Pin, dress / hairpin
Pin, dress / hairpin
Pin, dress / hairpin
- Dimensions:
- What: Pin, dress / hairpin
Pin, dress / hairpin
Pin, dress / hairpin
Pin, dress / hairpin
- Subject:
- Who:
- Where: Scotland, Shetland, Sumburgh, Jarlshof
Scotland, Shetland, Sumburgh, Jarlshof
Scotland, Shetland, Sumburgh, Jarlshof
Scotland, Shetland, Sumburgh, Jarlshof
- Event:
- Description: Animal-headed dress pin or hairpin of bone, from Jarlshof, Shetland
Animal-headed dress pin or hairpin of bone, from Jarlshof, Shetland
Dress pin or hairpin of bone with two animal heads, from Jarlshof, Shetland
Animal-headed dress pin or hairpin of bone, from Jarlshof, Shetland
- References:
- Hamilton, J.R.C. Excavations at Jarlshof, Shetland. Edinburgh: Ministry of Works, Archaeological Reports 1, 1956, p 124.
- Translations:
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