Viking age women SILK headband, forehead band - Slavic, Vikings, czółko - dark yellow and orange, Senmurv pattern

The headband is made of 100% dark yellow linen and decorated with a layer of hand-woven orange 100% silk. The silk on top bears a pattern dated to the 8th–10th century. Every headband is sewn by hand as a single piece, so each one is unique.

The headband is tied around the forehead and knotted at the back of the head, with the ends left hanging. It can be worn on its own over loose or braided hair, or on top of a headscarf, as in many reconstructions of early medieval women's costume. It goes well with an apron dress, a tunic or a linen underdress and completes a historical outfit for reenactment, medieval markets and festivals.

Historical background: headbands were popular in the Viking Age. Small pieces of fabric – often silk – are frequently found near the temples in women's graves, and “earflaps” could be sewn to the headband. Most such finds come from the graves of the Eastern Slavs, where Viking influence is also visible.

The creature we call Senmurv today was a mythological beast, which researchers identify with the creature known from the Persian Book of Kings. Its image has survived not only on Iranian artefacts (for example silver plates and rock reliefs) – it was clearly a well-known and widely “used” beast in the medieval period. It appears on various textiles found in Europe throughout the centuries; even a Hungarian pouch plate and an Italian sarcophagus have preserved the figure.

No temple rings (Polish kabłączki) or similar ear ornaments have been found in Scandinavian graves, so for Scandinavian or Viking Age attire a linen or silk headband without suspended jewellery is the safer choice.

Care: hand wash gently in cool water with a mild detergent, do not wring, and dry flat away from direct sunlight – this way the fabrics and colors stay beautiful longer.

Length of headband 119 cm (46,85 in), band width 3,5 cm (1,38 in).

Silver and gold elements and the headscarf shown in the photos are not included in the sale.