Viking Age Cloth Fragments with Bronze Ring Decoration

Scandinavia, c. 793–1066 AD

A magnificent and exceptionally rare set of textile fragments from the Viking Age, crafted from coarse tabby-woven hemp and flax—a practical yet skillful blend of natural fibers, typical of Viking domestic textile production. What makes these remnants particularly remarkable is the presence of decorative bronze rings, a rare embellishment that speaks to both aesthetic refinement and personal expression in Viking dress.

During the Viking Age, which spanned the late 8th to 11th centuries, Norse society was known not only for its seafaring exploits—raiding, trading, and settling across Europe and even reaching North America—but also for its rich material culture. Clothing reflected status, gender, and occupation, yet followed a surprisingly consistent style across the Viking world. Men typically wore trousers and tunics, while women donned long shifts with suspended overdresses, often fastened with brooches. Both genders wore woolen cloaks or jackets for warmth.

Everyday textiles were produced from locally sourced materials, primarily wool, flax, hemp, and occasionally nettle. These were woven—often by women—into functional yet beautifully crafted garments. While practical, clothing was also a canvas for expression. The Vikings adorned themselves with jewelry and ornamentation, such as beads, brooches, amulets, rings, and pendants. These items served not only as decoration but also as symbols of wealth and identity, and in some cases had a functional purpose, like fastening garments.

The bronze rings integrated into these cloth fragments suggest that they may have belonged to someone of higher status, or were part of ceremonial or formal attire. Very few textile samples from this era survive, making these fragments a rare and invaluable window into everyday life and artistry in the Viking world. 

Good condition. Age-related heavy wear. Corrosion, dirt and soil. Encrusted green patina. Size approx. 9,5cm x 4,5cm x 0,3cm. Sell as a set.

Provenance: Danish private collection.

References and further reading:

Clothing in the Viking Age, Hurstwic, William R. Shor, 1999-2023 (https://www.hurstwic.org/history/articles/daily_living/text/clothing.htm)

Tracing Textile Production from the Viking Age to the Middle Ages: Tools, Textiles, Texts and Contexts, Ingvild Øye, Oxbow Books, 2022. (https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv2mm1xqj.)

Textiles in a Viking Age hoard: Identifying ephemeral traces of textiles in metal corrosion products, Mary Davis & Susanna Harris, Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, Volume 48, 2023. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2022.103796.)

Viking and Early Middle Ages Northern Scandinavian Textiles Proven to be made with Hemp, G. Skoglund, M. Nockert & B. Holst, Sci Rep 3, 2686 (2013). (https://doi.org/10.1038/srep02686)