Denmark’s Nationwide Museum has unveiled what it described as the primary “portrait” of a Viking: a miniature Tenth-century figurine depicting a person with an imperial moustache, braided beard and neatly-groomed coiffure.
Carved out of ivory walrus tusk, the partially broken illustration of a head and torso measures simply 1.2 inches).
“If you think of Vikings as savage or wild, this figure is proving the opposite, actually. He is very well-groomed,” curator Peter Pentz informed AFP Wednesday, holding up the piece with white-gloved fingers.
Denmark’s nationwide museum curator Peter Pentz exhibits a gaming piece believed to be the primary “portrait” of a Viking, on August 26, 2025 in Copenhagen.
CAMILLE BAS-WOHLERT / AFP through Getty Photographs
“He has a center parting up to the top of his head, and then in the neck his hair is cut,” Pentz mentioned.
He has a facet wave that leaves the ear seen and, along with a big moustache and lengthy, braided goatee, he has sideburns.
Through the Viking period, stunning hair was an indication of wealth and standing, Pentz defined.
“A hair design like his, which is very neat — you can see a little curl or tuft of hair running over the ears — (suggests) this guy is at the top.”
“He could be the king himself, King Harald Bluetooth.”
The paintings, which is believed to be an historical board sport piece representing a king, was initially discovered within the Oslo fjord in Norway in 1796.
It’s been tucked away and forgotten within the archives of Denmark’s Nationwide Museum ever since.
When Pentz chanced on the figurine within the museum’s giant collections just a few years in the past, he mentioned it felt just like the Viking was trying proper at him.
Its detailed carvings distinction with different present depictions of Vikings — on issues like cash — that function little or no particular person particulars or facial expressions.
Viking Age artwork is thought for its attribute animal motifs however not often portrays people.
“This is the first thing that comes close to a portrait from the Viking period that I’ve seen,” Pentz mentioned.
“The most surprising thing for me is his expression. Most Viking renderings of human figures are quite simple, and they are not really human-like,” he mentioned.
However this one is exclusive with its consideration to element.
“He looks devilish, some people say. But I think he looks more like he’s just been telling a joke or something like that. He’s smiling.”
Extra from CBS Information
