Figurines

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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.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-039-961-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: 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
  Figurine / bird
  Figurine / raven
  
• 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. 
• Translations:
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