A beautiful penannular fibula cloak pin with dragon motif.
The Vikings travelled all over Europe and brought home not only treasures but also valuable inspiration for their jewellery. Some products from the Viking era are extremely ornate in gold and silver, others are mass-produced in cheaper materials (as today) so that this jewellery is accessible to all and can be bought in the market. This could cause sudden fashion trends, such as this Viking cloak clasp from Hordaland, Norway, found in several designs.
The crawling dragon heads of this buckle are clearly inspired by the art of the Picts (Scotland), but have been proven to have been made in Norway in the 9th-10th centuries from copper alloy ( Hordaland, Karmoy, Kaupang, Jutland). It's a beautiful example of how different cultures met in the early Middle Ages and art was not just a trophy. It could also become a national fashion hit and an indicator of sophistication, status and power.
Other fragments come from western Norway, single pieces have been found in Kaupang and also in Jutland/Denmark.