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This silver stick pin was found at Jarlshof in Shetland. It dates from the time of the Scandinavian occupation, between 900 and 1100. The pin is a rich object from a site with few precious metal finds.

The head of the stick pin is polyhedral (a rectangle whose corners have been shaved off). The flat faces are decorated with punched rings. The form and ornamentation are similar to copper alloy tenth and eleventh century stick pins from Ireland.

Pins were used in Viking times, as now, to fasten clothing. They appear in a number of forms, including stick pins and ring-headed pins. Many were made of bone, although fancier ones in silver, for more ostentatious display, have also been found.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-038-012-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.GA 998
• Date: Between 900 and 1100
  
• Material: Silver; head square with angles bevelled off
  
• Dimensions: 154 mm L
  
• What:
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Shetland, Sumburgh, Jarlshof
  
• Event:
• Description: Norse silver stick pin from Jarlshof
  
• References:
  • Graham-Campbell, James. The Viking-age gold and silver of Scotland (AD 850-1100), 1995, pp. 32, 158. 
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