Viking-period ring pins
A group of ring pins, so called because of the distinctive ring
at the top or head of the pin. Most of the heads are
decorated and one, a polyhedral-headed pin (see detail) has fine
interlace design.
Ring pins are an Irish and Norse phenomenon and their occurrence
at Whithorn is another example of the town's contacts with Viking
settlements in Ireland, the Hebrides and the Isle of Man.
Ring pins were used to secure cloaks and wraparound jackets.
The polyhedral examples are very diagnostic and are found in
Ireland from the 920s, in Whithorn and the Hebrides by the 940s -
950s, in Orkney and the Faroes by the 980s and in Iceland by the
year 1000AD. One was found at L'Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland,
confirming that the Vikings reached the North American
continent.
Object no :
WTAC008a; WTAC008b
Collection :
Creator :
NA
Place of Production :
NA
Dimensions :
average length 90mm
Materials :
Copper alloy
Location :
NA
Related site :
Accession number :
WIWMS Whit BZ15.3-9
Copyright :
Dumfries & Galloway Council