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Round Box Brooch, 700–900
Viking; Made in Gotland, Sweden
Copper alloy; D. 1 15/16 in. (4.9 cm)
Pfeiffer Fund, 1992 (1992.59.1)

A menagerie of tiny animals inhabits the interlace patterns on this round brooch. The four oval compartments on the top show beasts with round eyes, open jaws, claw feet, and intricately entwined bodies. Known as a box brooch because it was used as a container for small objects, it would have been worn by a Viking woman on the island of Gotland to secure her shawl at the collar.


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    Round Box Brooch, 700–900
    Viking; Made in Gotland, Sweden
    Copper alloy; D. 1 15/16 in. (4.9 cm)
    Pfeiffer Fund, 1992 (1992.59.1)