Gotlandic Brooch from Twilight Forge

Here is the second lovely brooch I purchased from Twilight Forge!
This is a slightly simplified version of a 10th century brooch found in a hoard discovery in Gotland, Sweden. Cast in brass and measuring a little under 3", it is on the larger side as brooches go, but the interesting thing about this brooch is that it differs from other penannular designs by actually being a solid ring, not being a 'C' shape. This is what archeologists refer to as "pseudo-penannular". The piece that connects the two serpent heads is far enough away that the cloak pin can slide past it, allowing it to be pulled through the ring and twisted around to secure the cloak.

Here, you'll see it displayed on a hand-woven, madder-dyed twill wool cloak. No, this lovely handiwork isn't mine-- I received it recently from a weaver in Russia, but didn't have a brooch nice enough to wear with it until now!

Gotland is a Swedish island in the Baltic Sea, just a quick sail from the major Viking Age city of Birka; the Baltic was the trading link between Scandinavia and the eastern territories, one of the most familiar being the Rus. As such, there is something satisfying about wearing a Gotlandic brooch with fine fabric, made entirely by hand and traded from Russia. It just feels... right. 👌