VIKING CONVERSION AMULET, 11TH-12TH CENTURY AD

Gilt bronze, circular, over 5/8” diameter (0.71”) pierced with a crescent moon over a cross. The form is typical of the Pilgrim’s and Crusader’s crosses of the period, but here retains the lunar image from the pagan period. The moon was sacred to Vikings both mythologically and practically as a navigational aide. Vikings converted to Christianity in the second half of the 11th century and fought valiantly in the First Crusade at the turnoff the 12th century. This amulet combines the symbolism of newly found Christianity with the lunar image, embedded by tradition, which had served than for over four centuries.