Hi All,
Well here is my post Sweden trip appraisal.
Firstly we visited the museum at Gamla Uppsala, followed by, on the next day, the Gustavianum museum in Uppsala and the museum storerooms, and then the Statens Historiska Museet in Stockholm on the next day.
Most of the more well known Vendel and Valsgärde artifacts were shared between these three venues. Particularly all the helmet and sword re creations we have in the group that are relevant to this thread.
Now my first point is that between the different museums there is an inconsistency in how the artifacts were displayed.
Some pieces were in two sided glass cases, for example the Valsgärde 7 swords, which gave a better insight into the design and construction of various elements. Also the V6 helm was in a case with a full 360deg view.
However others, most disappointingly were displayed with one side to the wall.
This was frustrating as some of the artifacts, to my knowledge, have no existing photos or even drawings of the 'other' side.
For example, myself and Vince Evans were studying the Vendel 1 Ringsword, as I am commissioning him to make me it.
My problem is that the intricate interlace and the arrangement and design of the garnet inlay on the reverse side may not be identical to the one the commonly seen side. Plus the case it was in, rendered the sword some distance away from the glass. the shape of the case making it very difficult to get pictures from ALL the critical angles.
This was highlighted by the discovery that the V7 ringsword has got tooling on the leather or wood on the reverse of the scabbard, Which is every bit as interesting as that on the front side.
The general conclusion seems to be that the Vendel and Valsgärde finds, whilst being obviously recognised as cultural treasures are not quite given the pride of place that they truly deserve. There seems to be in Sweden at present a 'Viking-centric' attitude, with more importance and priority ascribed to artifacts from the Viking period, At least in the context of museums.
This may lie in part, in the fact that little has been done in studying the Vendel and Valsgärde graves since the original reports some time ago. From what was discussed with Academics whilst there, it seems that the consensus is that more research should be undertaken on these graves, This could indeed shed new light, given what is currently known from other similar culturally connected finds and the employing current technology and techniques to appraise the finds.
We as a group, hope that our trip to Sweden and the great interest shown there by our hosts, may play a small part in generating some kind of momentum within the academic community and indeed the public themselves.
A perceptible shift in interest towards this period is noted. myArmoury not least, being in part responsible for this. Which is great, for those interested in the period. Another boon for the period are those great armourers out there, that are willing to undertake re creations and to take risks creating things that have very scant research from which to work.
More Research= More Commissions= More gorgeous shiny things to drool over.
I hope my simple appraisal is not too 'idealistic' .
But with a subject this interseting, its hard to not be optimistic. Especially given the knowledge, of what the finding of the Staffordshire Hoard has done for the study of the Early AS period here in the UK.
Thoughts, Ideas, Suggestions?
Bruce
ps photo, courtesy of Linda Wåhlander at the SHM
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