The Metal Beaker with Embossed Foil Bands

Summary, in English

The metal beaker that was found in the house is a unique object. The shape arouses associations with late antique glasses. The beaker is covered with embossed gold bands with figure representations carried out in early Style I. The bands were probably produced around 500 AD. The body of the beaker might be contemporaneous or possibly also older, with the bands as a later addition. The beaker is connected to drinking vessels, usually horns or glasses decorated with similar bands. Various elements in the decoration of the bands also correspond closely to gold bracteates and relief brooches originating in South Scandinavia, first and foremost Zealand and Scania. It is thus probable that the beaker was manufactured in South Scandinavia, perhaps in a workshop in Uppåkra. Style I is thought by several scholars to have been developed in South Scandinavia. With the discovery of the South Scandinavian central places during the last few decades, we now have the context where the style emerged.

• Author: Birgitta Hårdh
• Editor: Lars Larsson
• Department/s: Archaeology
• Publishing year: 2004
• Language: English
• Publication/Series: Continuity for Centuries. A ceremonial building and its context at Uppåkra, Southern Sweden
• Document type: Book chapter
• Publisher: Almqvist & Wiksell
• Topic: Archaeology
• Status: Published