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Figurines

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From Traprain Law, East Lothian and Ollaberry, Northmavine, Shetland

Postcard of Figurines.
000-100-039-961-C
© National Museums Scotland

Figurines

These two figurines in the shapes of birds were probably used as amulets. The bronze example on the left was found at the native hillfort site of Traprain Law in East Lothian. The steatite bird was found at Ollaberry at Northmavine on Shetland.

The bronze bird, identified as a raven, has a ridge on the back to indicate folded rings. Its eye and beak are roughly incised, and the loop below is much worn at its lowest point. The steatite bird has incised lines to indicate feathers.

Magic and superstition were an integral part of everyday life. Some shapes had special significance for a long period of time, for example birds, axes or crosses. Models of birds are fairly common from native and Roman sites.


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Online ID: 000-100-039-961-C
Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
Project: 0098: National Museums Scotland
Project description | View all records in project
Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.GVM 265
Date: Traprain Law bird: Between 0 and 400 AD; Ollaberry bird: Between 0 and 1200 AD
Material: Bronze; heavy body, head and beak; loop below for attachment
Steatite
Dimensions: 1.38" H
1.75" L
What: Figurine / bird
Figurine / raven
Subject:
Who:
Where: Scotland, East Lothian, Traprain Law
Scotland, Shetland, Northmavine, Ollaberry
Event:
Description: Figurine of a bird carved out of steatite, from Ollaberry, Northmavine, Shetland
Raven figurine of bronze from Traprain Law
References:
  • Burley, Elizabeth. Metal-work from Traprain Law. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland 89 (1955-1956), 118-226, esp. no. 265, pp 185-6. 
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