Viking Wild Boar Pendant

The wild boar is one of the symbolic animals in the ancient forest of Norse myth. Respected by the Germanic tribes, and the Vikings after them, for its untameable ferocity, it became a symbol of the warrior’s unyielding honour. The wild boar was known to charge the attacking hunter, rather than turn and flee.

In the myths of the Vikings, it was connected with the fertility god Freyr, who had a boar, Gullinbursti – 'Golden Bristles' – who would light up the darkest night. Also known as Slithrugtanni – 'Sharp teeth'.

We still remember the wild boar today for its defiant and undaunted strength.

I wanted to make a figurine of a Viking boar, but all images that survive on original finds are carved flat. So I based this design on my own memorable experience of becoming caught up in a wild boar hunt in a German forest, where I was struck by the charging animal’s surprising speed and agility. I have used the 11^th century Mammen style to capture the coiled energy and powerful elegance of this totem animal.

Height including the hanging loop 23mm, 1 inch. 

Length 37mm, 2 1/2 inches 

Silver weight 11gm