Viking shield Vegvisir with rawhide

Product description

The Viking shield is crafted from approximately 13 mm thick plywood and distinguishes itself through its detailed craftsmanship. At the centre of the shield sits a large steel boss, securely held in place with four rivets. The umbo permits sufficient space even for robust Viking hands. The edge of the shield is covered with rawhide, whilst the back is reinforced with three wooden slats that are riveted in place. The central slat also serves as a handle, which is wrapped in leather at the midpoint for a comfortable grip.

The central motif on the shield is the Vegvísir (also known as the 'wayfinder'), a magical symbol or a so-called sigil (galdrastafir) of Icelandic origin. The first actual representation of this symbol appears in the Icelandic Huld Manuscript by Geir Vigfússon from 1860. It says: "If this symbol is carried, one will never lose their way in storms and bad weather, even when the way is not known." Although there is no historical evidence that the Vegvísir was employed by the Vikings during the Viking Age, it remains a meaningful symbol today. In Ásatrú, it is interpreted as a representation of the nine worlds in Norse mythology. In modern everyday life, it is often worn as a pendant or talisman, symbolising guidance in a figurative sense. It is meant to help the bearer weather the storms of life, even on unfamiliar paths.