This silver brooch, crafted in the form of a feather and featuring runic inscriptions, belongs to the Viking culture. It was found or acquired in Penrith, Cumbria, England, which is situated in the British Isles.
The brooch is designed to resemble a feather, a common motif in Viking art and jewelry. What makes this artifact particularly interesting is the presence of runic inscriptions on its back. Runes were the written characters used in various Germanic languages during the Viking Age and medieval periods.
On the reverse side of one of the hoops of the brooch, there is a slightly incised cross and a jagged scribe, suggesting some form of symbolic or decorative significance. On the reverse side of the other hoop, the first two letters of the runic alphabet, known as the Futhark, are inscribed, along with linear signs.
These runic inscriptions provide valuable historical and cultural context, shedding light on the linguistic and symbolic aspects of the Viking society. They are a tangible link to the past, allowing us to explore the artistry, symbolism, and written communication of the Vikings during this era.