Revisiting the ‘Valkyries’: Armed Females in Viking Age Figurative Metalwork

This paper offers an in-depth exploration of a group small Viking Age figurines commonly referred to as ‘valkyries’ in and Old Norse scholarship. After presenting overview the long research history pertaining these finds their varying definitions, this study re-analyses various formal stylistic features proposes new typological system based on comprehensive investigation current find corpus. is followed by deconstruction discussion ambiguous gender characteristics potential avenues interpretation. The supplemented detailed catalogues all presently known so-called armed ‘valkyrie’ figures well high-quality illustrations that demonstrate great iconographic value for studies clothing, martial equipment ritual behaviour.