Oseberg style

Formation

In the second half of the 5th century in the western Scandinavia arose from influences of the late antique Roman art, Celtic designs and motifs of Asian steppe peoples ( Scythians, Sarmatians ) of Germanic animal style. It is characterized by stylized animal figures, whose proportions and anatomy are fully subordinated to the ornamentation over time. Towards the end of the 7th century, the last stage of this animal styles developed, referred to as Tier III style or Vendel E ( after a big boat burial ground in Uppland, Sweden). In animal style III, the original animal forms are enriched with tendrils of Irish and Anglo-Saxon influences and dissolved in curvaceous interlocking pattern. This style represents the final product of the motifs used for centuries

The decisive impulse to the development of Osebergstiles is the introduction of the so-called Cross animal, one not to be specified animal -like being whose forms were fluent adapted to the respective requirements. The origin of the gripping beast is perhaps to be found in lions representations of the Carolingian and Anglo-Saxon art, the knowledge spread by the Frankish kingdom from North Europe. Other authors suggest eichhorn like animals, as they occur in the English book illustrations, as a template.

Characterization

  • Figures, ie human and animal representations (to which the animal belongs Griffin )
  • Illustrations of plants ( vines, leaves )
  • Geometric figures (circles, triangles, spirals )

The use of the gripping beast takes over for the development and displaces some of other motives. The name Griffin animal derives from the typical representation, in which the paws of the gripping beast usually represented either compact grip into surrounding elements of ornaments or cling to it. The design of the gripping beast occurs on bronze gilt fittings of a bridle, which was found in a grave in Broa men on Gotland. Even on parts of the finds from the Oseberg find the gripping beast. Here it was - partially used as the predominant motif - in contrast to the finding from Broa, where it was used sparingly in addition to the older forms of animal style. Especially on some of the five each terminating in a carved animal head posts, belonging to the Oseberg Fund, the gripping animal was used more frequently. This post, the original purpose is unknown today, are the work of three wood carvers. The eldest of them - to 800 - arrest is quite old animal style III. Because of the almost perfect certainty with which he mastered the animal style, he is known as " The Academics". The Middle ( " The Carolingian " ) already used the gripping beast motif. The carvings of the Last, named for its overflowing forms " The Baroque Master," consist almost entirely of intricately interlocking motifs of the new style. He worked at about 850 and ruled him perfectly.

Berdal style

Partial nor the Berdal style is distinguished in the literature from the actual Oseberg style, named after a locality in Norway. The Berdal style " is characterized by almost caricature-like depictions of animals with segmented bodies and disproportionately large heads ." In particular, the head part is greatly enlarged. The gripping animal is represented mostly half plastic and from the front. The Berdal style is filed by approximately 800 to 850.

Halbnaturalistischer bird as a motif of Broa-/Osebergstils. Zaumzeugbeschlag of gilded bronze, locality Broa, Gotland, renumbering with anatomical mapping.

Greif animals as motif of Broa-/Osebergstils. Animal Head Post of the Carolingians. Renumbering of the head region.

Greif animals as motif of Broa-/Osebergstils. Animal Head Post of the Baroque master. Settlement of the head region: snout, neck and cheeks.

Example finds

  • Five Animal Head Post from Oseberg maple, Vestfold, Norway, Universitetets Oldsaksamling, Oslo
  • Zaumzeugbeschläge gilt bronze of Broa, Gotland, Sweden, Statens Historisk Museum, Stockholm
  • Silver crown pommel of a sword from Rostock- Dierkow, Mecklenburg- Vorpommern, Germany
  • Bronze plate on handle bars and pommel of a sword crown of Steinsvik, Nordland, Norway
  • Animal -shaped brooch from bronze by Kaupang, Vestfold, Norway, Universitetets Oldsaksamling, Oslo
Viking Age 9th century Oslofjord History of Ireland Carolingian dynasty Northern Europe Oseberg ship Jelling style Mammen style Ringerike style Urnes style
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