Link chain 41 cm, bronze
£ 14 Incl. VAT
Silver chain necklace 51 cm
£ 53 Incl. VAT
Cord for pendants, leather
£ 2 Incl. VAT
Leather pouch, black
£ 7 Incl. VAT
Money purse, red
£ 9 Incl. VAT

Product description

The Germanic bracteate originates from Blekinge, Sweden, and dates back to the 4th to 6th century AD. Crafted from gold, the bracteate features an image of a head surrounded by an inscription in the older Futhark runic alphabet. The original bracteate was discovered on the island of Tjurkö near Karlskrona in southern Sweden and is now held within the collection at the Swedish National Museum in Stockholm.

The inscription on the Tjurkö bracteate reads: "wurteruno?anwalhakurne ? helda?kunimudiu," which may be translated as: "It cast the runes on the Welsch grain (gold, bracteate) Helda? the Kunimundu?." Such bracteates were common amongst the Germanic tribes during the Migration Period and were often employed as amulets. It is believed that this particular bracteate served as an award for warriors serving under a jarl or king.

The Tjurkö bracteate, measuring 3 x 3.5 cm, is available in bronze. The name "bracteate" derives from the Latin "bractea," meaning a thin disc, and these pieces were inspired by Roman medallions but were minted on one side only. The bracteate was discovered in 1817, alongside other bracteates and a gold coin from Emperor Theodosius II, dating to 443 AD. This find dates the bracteate to the Germanic Iron Age, between 400 and 650 AD.