Viking turtle brooch Denmark – bronze

This turtle brooch is manufactured after a 9th century original that was found on the Åland archipelago near modern day Finland. 

Turtle brooches were rather common brooches in the Viking period, and were around as simple versions, as well as elaborately decorated, jeweled pieces from precious metals. The turtle brooches were used to fasten the shoulder straps of women dresses. Women could hang one or more chains – decorated with all sorts of jewelry, trinkets, and small household items – between the pair of turtle brooches, for example using a chain divider. 

The Viking turtle brooch – Denmark is 6 x 4 x 2 cm and is available in bronze, as a silver-plated variant.