'Cattle Die, Kinsmen Die....'
installation — mixed media (collaborative)
Collections of the Artists

Cattle Die, Kinsmen Die....
This quote from the Havamal shows that death was an integral part of life to the Viking Era Norse. This display demonstrates the range of goods that would accompany a wealthy land-owning couple to their afterlife in the mound with their ancestors.
Rich landholders often had some history of being a warrior. This man is buried with his metal helm, augmented with chainmail and his sword, spear with pattern welded blade, and linden wood shield. There is also an axe which could serve both as a weapon and a general use tool. At his side are a simple pitchfork and sickle, common tools around the farm.
He is clothed in a pair of wool pants, naalbinded socks, leather shoes, linen under tunic, woolen over tunic, and coat. At his waist, he wears a leather belt with a carved bone strap-end and buckle. His seax (knife) is visible behind his back. Hanging from the belt is a whetstone and a pouch. Silver coins, blocks of silver, jet, and amber can be seen spilling out of his pouch; valuables to be given away or traded. At his neck he wears a silver torc, and a necklace with glass beads and silver pendants that depict both Norse and Christian gods.
She has been buried in leather shoes, naalbinded socks, a linen underdress, woolen overdress, and apron dress. Wrapped around her is a woolen cloak held closed by a bronze ring-headed pin. The apron dress is pinned with oval broaches between which lies a strand of the beads so loved by the Norse. Also hanging from the broaches are a bone comb and silver personal grooming kit, including an ear spoon. The Norse were noted by their peers as being concerned with personal hygiene. A pair of scissors and a needle case with needles round out the items typically kept near to hand.
Women were largely responsible for the work of producing textiles. At her waist, she has ready a drop spindle for producing thread and yarn. Near her head are a pair of wool combs used to prepare the fibres for spinning. Hanging on the wall nearby is a wool winder, and a weaving sword for weaving on an upright loom. Near to hand are some wooden tablet weaving cards.
To aid them in feasting with the ancestors, the couple has a large bronze pot with a wooden spoon and a covered soapstone pot is nearby. Two large barrels contain stores of food. A highly treasured glass cup and horn are close by. He holds another drinking horn to toast his guests and share his bounty, dipping into the bucket at his feet for replenishment. At her side is a carved trencher with two spoons, of wood and horn. Another trencher turned over has a merrels game about to take place and a box supports a pair of ceramic cups and a pitcher for liquids. On the box lid, a game of hnefatafl using soapstone and glass pieces is set up.