Earrings depicting ravens from the Vendel period based on a historical model.
The Vendel-era raven earrings are modelled on fittings that were found on Gotland and date back to around 600 AD.The birds on the Vendel Age raven earrings probably represented the ravens Hugin and Munin, who accompanied the Norse god Odin on his travels. Depictions of birds are quite common in the Vendel Age, which immediately preceded the Viking Age, and were generally widespread in the Germanic region.
The original Vendel Age ravens are now in the Statens Historiska Museum in Stockholm.
The Vendel Age raven earrings are made of bronze and are also available in real silver-plated versions.
The earrings measure 5.5 x 3.5 cm including ear hooks.
The Vendel earrings are supplied as a pair.
The ravens Hugin and Munin were the companions of Odin, the father of the gods, who was nicknamed Hrafnáss (raven god) for good reason. Odin was also regarded by the Vikings as the god of war, and his feathered companions would feast richly among the fallen after battle. The name Hugin comes from the Old Norse word huga (to think) and means "the thought", whereas Munin comes from the word muna (to remember) and means "the memory".