2009
It’s not often a piece of Norse sculpture shows up. They pull classical items out of the Mediterranean all the time, or dig them out of the ground in one of the many areas once belonging to the Roman Empire. But Norse items are a rarity. So it’s all the more remarkable when they find something this beautiful. This has been called the Odin from Lejre. Roskilde Museum revealed him on Friday November 13. He was unearthed during excavations in Gammel Lejre (Old Lejre). As the Roskilde Museum tells us, this area is central to Denmark’s early history:
It is here, according to the Norse literature and medieval chronicles, that we find the beginning of the story of the Kingdom of Denmark, which was ruled by the legendary royal family the Scyldings. This was in the period before the conversion of the Danes to Christianity and the transformation of the country to a European medieval state under Harald Bluetooth and his successors.
Though the Scyldings are a myth, as with many myths there is a kernel of truth to the stories. This was a seat of early Danish royal authority, as some of the finds, including a massive hall 60m in length, attest. And then there is this beautiful piece:
The find, a small figure only 2 cm high, is of Odin sitting on his throne. That it is the Nordic gods’, the Æsir’s, supreme god who is depicted, is clearly shown by the two birds sitting on the armrests of the chair. They are Odin’s two ravens, Hugin and Munin, that flew out every day and returned home in the evening to tell Odin all that had happened. The elaborately made chair is Odin’s throne or high seat known as Hlidskjalf. The seat gave Odin magic powers and from it he could see over the whole world. These attributes are connected to Odin in his capacity as the all-seeing and all-knowing god. Up until very recently, the representations of Odin as the ruler, to a greater extent than the warrior, have only been known from later traditions, such as the national romantic interpretations of history during Denmark’s Golden Age or the more modern Valhalla comics. Now for the first time, with the coming to light of Odin from Lejre, we can gain an insight into how the Vikings themselves viewed their supreme god. The figurine is cast in silver, and decorated with gilding and inlay of niello, a black-coloured metal alloy. It is richly detailed and a very beautiful piece of craftsmanship.
There has been discussed the possibility that this is Freya and not Odin (note the shawl and the strings of beads). On the other hand, the figure seems to be one-eyed unless the damage to the left eye is incidental. Either way, there is some explaining to do. Either what is Freya doing on Odin’s high seat, or what is Odin doing wearing what looks like a shawl? Viking Rune points out that “Odin might have been depicted in a dress, since in Norse mythology he is known for “unmanly” magical practices.” Take a look for yourself at the detail in this video:
Isn’t it wonderful when they find artifacts like this?!
A fine peice of work considering it’s less than one inch high!
My bet is Odin…..as I’m sure that Freya would not have had such a glorious moustache!
Stu, it’s exciting. Yeah, isn’t that a weird image in every way imaginable? I mean, for me, this just goes to illustrate all the things we don’t know about our ancestors beliefs and how they saw our gods. It’s fascinating. I hope they find more.
My wife nailed I think, she says Frigga. It explains the gown and necklace. With out actually handling the statue I can not say for sure but the face looks to have some crushing damage across the nose and left eye. It is an amazing piece.
Chris, I saw that suggested somewhere too and I agree it makes sense – it’s Odin’s high seat so it makes sense that she might be sitting in it, but the eye thing still intrigues me (and yeah, the damage might be incidental and not part of the sculpture), as does Stu’s comment about the beard – or at least what looks like a beard (I don’t know what else it might be). The features are so indistinct that it’s difficult to know what to make of it. Like you say, amazing piece.
This is a lovely peice. Thanks for sharing the info.
I have several comments on this. Forgive me if my typing sucks or my grammar doesn’t make sense. I just got back from a Jol blot and I’m at least a little drunk yet. I may regret this post tomorrow.
Anyway, I had to squint my eyes NOT to see the left eye. It looks a little smoshed but still visibly present. The “mustache/beard’ thing might just be a mouth. The art of the period seems to have such wide, thick mouths on it (I think, I’ll try to look some example up before the week is out). Or mightent the “shawl” be some form of cloak. Also, what’s the date on this thing. I’m not yet aquainted enough with Denmark’s overall history to date its early history. Depending on that date, the “necklaces” could possibly be some form of mail armor. Being earlyish period though, this may not be likely. The ravens really seem to point to Odin but it’s really difficult to say deffinetivly. No real aqnswers or opinions I know, just posibilities. That’s the fun part of history. It’s a mystery. Finding the answer to even one tiny question is an amazing thing.
p.s. Apparently, I’m too drunk to type properly but sober enough to be paranoid about it and proofread. This thing took 45min. to type and correct. Let’s hope it’s a decent post.
p.p.s. [i]just checking to see if italics and such will work in here[/i]
Apparently not on the p.p.s.
Sorry.
Ulfrun, I look forward to hearing more from the experts and I hope the initial identification (which came “off the cuff”) as Odin doesn’t just stand without discussion, given all the points raised here and elsewhere. The date I saw was 10th century, which is late. I agree the beard could be a mouth. It would help a lot of it we had more examples of Odin art to compare it with. As it is, we have almost nothing.
Whoever it is, it’s a gorgeous piece. Thanks for posting about it here.
You’re welcome, Feithline!
I suppose a historian of costume is called for, but that *could* be a hood rather than a shawl–the medieval style of detachable hood that included a shoulder-covering.
The birds cinch it for me though.
Hey Chas, thanks for commenting. Yeah, I don’t pretend to be an expert on 10th century Danish clothing so it’s hard to say what’s going on – and if those are necklaces they’re some big Victorian-style necklaces and not like the ones you see in images of Viking Age women so your solution works for me.
I hope to see some articles come out in the professional journals on this – always takes these folks awhile to publish. Will have to keep my eyes peeled on that horizon.