Comments on: A New Odin?

By: Hrafnkell

Hrafnkell — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 02:51:55 +0000

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.

By: Chas S. Clifton

Chas S. Clifton — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 00:37:01 +0000

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.

By: Hrafnkell

Hrafnkell — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 21:08:52 +0000

You’re welcome, Feithline!

By: Feithline

Feithline — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 18:00:46 +0000

Whoever it is, it’s a gorgeous piece. Thanks for posting about it here.

By: Hrafnkell

Hrafnkell — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 12:17:50 +0000

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.

By: Ulfrun

Ulfrun — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 05:03:47 +0000

Apparently not on the p.p.s.

Sorry.

By: Ulfrun

Ulfrun — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 05:02:58 +0000

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]

By: Hrafnkell

Hrafnkell — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 00:44:27 +0000

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.

By: Chris

Chris — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 00:41:29 +0000

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.

By: Hrafnkell

Hrafnkell — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 00:40:48 +0000

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.