Viking Rattle Pendant “Horses” -Pendant

Description of the Product

Throughout the ages and multiple cultures, it was understood that various jingles, clinks, and rattles warded off evil spirits and bad luck. It is likely that this Viking Age rattle pendant was originally intended to produce such sounds, and hence to protect the wearer from evil of all kinds. Two horse heads were also a popular decoration motif at that time; it has been found in items of the Vikings, Finns, Baltic and Slavic people.

In Finnish mythology, horses are sometimes associated with the battle between the demigod bard Väinämöinen and his rival Joukahainen, two strong opposing forces pulling against each other. The other force being old and wise representing tradition and stability and the other young and ambitious driving change. Väinämöinen and Joukahainen were riding horses and collided into each other and depending on the story and its origin region, the ensuing battle was fought with either spells, songs, swords or bows. It's also been theorized that Väinämöinen and Joukahainen might have been true gods, and their battle led to the creation of the world. Horses, known in many cultures also as symbols of fertility, would fit into this narrative as well. The two horses also symbolize the Latvian god Ūsiņš and are even found pulling the chariot of the Viking sun goddess Sól (/Sunna). We will never know what the original pendant meant for the owner, but at least we have few different possible ideas.

This Viking Age rattle pendant is based on a horse pendant found in the region of Staraya Ladoga, present-day Russia but is of Finnish (or Finno-Ugric) origin. A significant portion of the artifacts found in the Staraya Ladoga are Finnish origins and similar horse pendants have been found in Finland. What makes this pendant stand out from other Viking age pendants is that, according to the archeological excavation records, the same grave also held Slavic temple rings and Western Scandinavian bowl brooches. Who might the owner of these jewelry pieces have been? A traveller, a merchant or perhaps an influential matron?

The fortress of Ladoga was a popular stopping point along the trade route from the Baltic Sea along the river Volga to the Caspian Sea. Archaeological findings indicate habitation in the Ladoga area as early as the 8th century. Because Staraya Ladoga served as a cultural melting pot from the ancient times onward, it is not uncommon for graves to hold artifacts from Scandinavia, Finland, the Slavic regions, and even Arabia, next to each other.

• Replica of a horse rattle pendant found in the Staraya Ladoga region
• The jingling of the chains was believed to ward off misfortune and evil spirits
• The two horses perhaps symbolized the battle between Väinämöinen and Joukahainen, the creation of the world, or the sun god(/dess)
• The pendant comes with a one meter (100 cm) long cord
• Made from high-quality bronze
• Size: 6 x 3 cm
• A stylish accessory for historical reenactments, everyday wear, and as a thoughtful gift