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Forum Index > Off-topic Talk > Bear claws used/worn by Viking males/Women Reply to topic
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Stuart Thompson




Location: Walton-on-the-Naze
Joined: 15 Feb 2010

Posts: 118

PostPosted: Sun 24 Jul, 2011 11:02 am    Post subject: Bear claws used/worn by Viking males/Women         Reply with quote

I once made a necklace on behalf of a friend for a film (BBC) that he was in, was then asked by a couple of reenactors to make some and once again i've been asked to make a copy. These are bear claws, two max with about 3 glass beads. I traded some for my new tunic and trousers.

However, is there any proof that vikings wore these? The first I made on a fluke, as he didnt like what the props department had given him it was too 'feminine for the character' so I made a new one and they seem to have caught on rather quickly around these parts.

Having noticed a group in Ireland where most of the men and even women sport at least one got me thinking on the evidence. I can't find anything anywhere and now i'm curios dammit! Wink

Thanks! hope you've all had good weekends.

sverð er manni vargr, af bardaga er dýrð, í dauða er dýrð.
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Bjorn Hagstrom




Location: Höör, Skane
Joined: 25 Oct 2007
Likes: 1 page
Reading list: 8 books

Posts: 355

PostPosted: Tue 26 Jul, 2011 2:12 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

I came across this in a seach:

http://catview.historiska.se/catview/media/lowres/239817

Bear claw with bronze fitting, found on Gotland migration period, so a little earlier than what most people would considered "Viking age".

There are a few finds of bear claws in the Swedish Historical Museum database, all seem to be listed as "Roman Iron Age" or "Vendel period" None except the above listed find have any holes drilled, some are burnt so more likley some sort of cult use.

There is nothing quite as sad as a one man conga-line...
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Stuart Thompson




Location: Walton-on-the-Naze
Joined: 15 Feb 2010

Posts: 118

PostPosted: Tue 26 Jul, 2011 8:25 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Excellent, thank you Happy

You won't believe how many bears i'd be getting through! haha. Reckon this is my last batch, if you want anymore i'll include them Happy wanting to get some big ones this time.

sverð er manni vargr, af bardaga er dýrð, í dauða er dýrð.
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Artis Aboltins




PostPosted: Tue 26 Jul, 2011 1:17 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

In eastern Baltic they seem to be more often during late Iron age, (9-13 centuries AD). In most cases those claws are found as part of necklaces or as amulet added to some other decoration, I can not really recall instances of them appearing as stand-alone claw with hole drilled through it for hanging, if you are interesed, I can look up additional information once I return from Sweden in about a week.
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