< B A C K

S I Z E
A3. 12”x16.5” [30x42cm]

E R A
800-1000AD

S T Y L E
‘Viking’ or old Norse

S O U R C E S
various runestones; contemporary artifacts and jewellery including the Sutton Hoo find. Also, the Imperial Gospel Book.

M A T E R I A L S
24K gold and gouache on stained vellum.

C O M M E N T S
see bottom of this page.

The patron required a work of art on vellum in the old norse style of approximately 900AD.

This design was accomplished after studying various Norse motifs used to decorated
the jewellery and artifacts of that era. We have incorporated the use of both flat and
raised gold to further emulate the look of old norse jewellery pieces.

The earliest Nordic illuminated page our research unearthed was dated 1220AD.
However, turning to other contemporary sources for inspiration, the Imperial Gospel Book
of 800AD has stunning text in gold ink on ‘purple’ parchment.

The finished work shown here is the result of imagining what a Norse jeweller could
conceivably produce under the guidance of Charlemagne’s finest scribes.
The text was originally supplied in English, then translated into Norweigan,
and finally converted to the patron’s preferred futhark [runes].

We have included an inter-linear gloss in English so the patron’s guests
will understand the document’s purpose.

This work is most spectacular when viewed in candlelight, as the gold appears to leap off the page.