Round Shield

A 3.4 cm silver figure from Funen holding a shield with a salient boss, discovered in 2012.

The only known Viking-age figurine explicitly associated with a round shield is the Hårby Valkyrie, discovered near the village of Hårby on Funen in Denmark. This small gilded silver statue stands exactly 3.4 centimetres (1.3 in) tall and features niello detailing to create black contrasts. Found by an amateur archaeologist in 2012, the figure depicts a woman with clearly delineated eyes and hair tied at the back of her neck. She wears a long patterned skirt and holds a sword in her right hand while gripping a round shield with a salient boss in her left. This artifact dates to approximately 800 AD during the Viking Age and is unique among found valkyrie representations for being three-dimensional.

Lore & Background

The Hårby figurine matches similar pieces dated to 800 AD, leading experts to assume it represents a valkyrie who brought fallen warriors to Valhalla. While some suggest the figure could be a Norse shield maiden, the goddess Freya, or even a mythological giantess, its specific iconography aligns with the valkyrie tradition. Unlike other two-dimensional jewellery representing these figures from the 9th century, this piece is distinctively three-dimensional. The workshop where it was likely made has been identified through excavations in Hårby, which revealed several pit-houses used for forging. Many old ornaments found there were intended to be reforged into new items, suggesting the Valkyrie itself was crafted locally before being lost or hidden.

Reader's Guide

The Hårby Valkyrie serves as a primary archaeological reference for Viking-age depictions of shield-bearing female figures. The figure is made of gilded silver with niello used to create black details. It stands 3.4 centimetres (1.3 in) tall and dates to the period around 800 AD. For those interested in physical representations, a replica sculpture was created by Morten Skovsby in wood; this version measures 2 metres (6 ft 7 in) high and weighs between 300–400 kg (660–880 lb). The wooden replica was put on display in Assens in 2015. Visitors can view the original silver artifact at the National Museum of Denmark.