Bead Chain Distributor, Bronze

Glass Bead Chain distributor of the Viking Age

Rod-shaped chain distributors after a find from Gotland, SHM2979:157, without find location. An almost identical pair comes from Väte, GF C 8059.

The chain distributors have a central bar on the back with a row of holes into which the bead threads can be knotted. The price refers to one pair.

The Viking Age bead chain distributors are cast in the authentic lost-wax casting process and are elaborately hand-finished.

Chain distributors of the Viking Age

The richly decorated women's costumes of the Viking Age usually included elaborate oval or animal-headed brooches, which could vary in design depending on the period and region. These brooches, worn in pairs, were often connected with chains of bronze or coloured glass beads.
Particularly splendid were several rows of different chains connected by ornate jewellery, so-called chain distributors, which were attached to the brooches in this way. 

On Gotland, the custom developed of additionally decorating the chain hangings with a row of ornamented sleeves, which researchers call "fish-head sleeves".