Name/TitleMiniature gold amulet with a couple from traditional beliefs, Swedish History Museum 111325-HST

About this objectThis is one of about three thousand miniature, gold amulets dating from c. 500–1100 that have been found in Scandinavia. Originally interpreted as depicting men, they were named 'little old men of gold' (guldgubbar in Swedish). However, they are now believed to show a man and a woman. One interpretation is that they depict an episode from traditional religion as told in the Eddic poem, Skírnismál., namely the marriage between the god, Freyr, and Gerðr, a type of being known as jötunn, sometimes translated as 'troll'.

Date Made550–800

PeriodVendel

Subject and Association KeywordsEncounters

Subject and Association DescriptionLearn More: Ratke website; Ratke 2009–2010; Gullgubber – de evige par fra Åker.

Medium and MaterialsGold

TechniqueHammered

Measurementsc. 1 x 0.3 cm

Credit LineFoto: Jansson, Gunnel, Statens historiska museum/SHM (CC BY 2.5)

Object numberEXH35: 111325-HST