“Stor rypa” (The Large Ptarmigan)
This form has long been believed to represent a ptarmigan — a bird closely associated with the Finnmark plateau.
However, the casting mould for this particular piece has been discovered in archaeological excavations as far south as Novgorod — Holmgard, an important city in the Vikings’ Gardarike (Russia). Much suggests that it may share the same roots as a group of ornaments originating from Karelia, a geographical region stretching from eastern Finland into present-day Russia, towards the White Sea in the north and the Gulf of Finland in the south. The area was originally inhabited by the Karelians, a Finno-Ugric people.
There are many ornaments depicting wading birds, ducks, swans and similar species. The jewellery often consists of webbed feet alone, or feet suspended from stylised bird-like forms. Very little is known about the precise age or symbolic meaning of these motifs. However, they appear to have been widespread among Finno-Ugric peoples, likely between 800–1000 AD.
Such ornaments are frequently found in Sámi areas, indicating extensive eastward trade and strong cultural connections across regions.
