The Hornelund Brooches

These two brooches were found in a small hoard in western Denmark. They likely date to around 975 CE. They are appearing here today because I can't remember ever having seen them before I leafed through my library's copy of the Smithsonian's History of the World in 1,000 Objects.

The more famous of the pair. The basic shape of the brooches was made with a mold, to which the goldsmith then added details with wire and tiny gold beads.

And the second brooch. These are real masterpieces, and it astonishes me that I didn't know them before. What a delight to come across new Viking treasures, and to be reminded of how many wonders the earth holds that I have not yet seen.