Brooch in the Form of a Bird of Prey in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, April 2011

Brooch in the Form of a Bird of Prey, 500–600
Vendel; made in Scandinavia
Copper alloy with silver overlay
L. 2 3/8 in. (6 cm)
Purchase, Leon Levy and Shelby White Gift, Rogers Fund and funds from various donors, 1991 (1991.308)

This crouching bird of prey, usually identified as an eagle, is thought to represent Odin, the supreme god of war and battle in Nordic mythology. The design is an early example of the sort of animal motifs that become so important in Viking art.

Text from: www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/1991.308