Söderala vane

On stylistic grounds it has been dated to c. 1050, and scholars believe it was originally made to be used as a weather vane on a Viking ship.

A small sculpture of an animal, kept separately from the vane when it was bought by the museum, was originally attached to the top end of the bronze plate.

The curved edge of the plate is pierced by several small holes, in which some kind of loosely hanging decorations may once have been attached.

[7] The main decorative element is a depiction of a Norse dragon with wings, its forelegs and neck stretched somewhat like a horse about to rise.

[10] Apart from wear, it has also been somewhat buckled as a result of considerable violence, possibly by being hit by projectiles during some battle.