Rare Figurine Illuminates Viking Hairstyles

Archaeology Magazine ^ | September 4, 2025 | editors / unattributed

[SunkenCiv]

According to a statement released by The National Museum of Denmark, a small figurine long-hidden in its collections has recently been rediscovered and is providing new information about Viking Age fashions. The exquisitely carved, one-inch-tall object was whittled out of expensive walrus ivory and likely served as a gaming piece for a Viking Age game resembling chess. It was first discovered in a burial in Viken in 1797 and has been in the National Museum's storerooms for more than 200 years. However, it recently caught the attention of curator Peter Pentz, who was struck by the figurine's realistic features. Although Viking art is known for its animal motifs, humans are hardly ever represented. "This is a miniature bust and as close as we will ever get to a portrait of a Viking," said Pentz. The researcher was particularly intrigued by the character's hairstyle, which is parted in the middle and cropped in the back, with a side curl that leaves one ear exposed. The man also sports a mustache, sideburns, and a long, braided goatee. The artifact dates to the tenth century, the age of the first king of Denmark, Harald Bluetooth. Scholars believe that the statuette represents what fashionable Viking elites and warriors would have looked like at that time. For more on Viking fashion, go to "Vikings in Furs."

[SunkenCiv]

Front view of ivory gaming piece carved with a man's face

Roberto Fortuna, The National Museum of Denmark

[SunkenCiv]

The rest of the Lewis Chessman/men keywords, sorted:

• Irving Finkel and the Chamber of Lewis Chessmen [06/19/2022]
• Missing Lewis Chessman found in drawer could be worth more than $1M [06/03/2019]
• Lost Norse of Greenland fueled the medieval ivory trade, ancient walrus DNA suggests [08/17/2018]
• 2200 year old walrus bones suggest the most famous medieval chess set might be Icelandic in origin [09/30/2015]
• Ancient Chess History Unearthed [07/28/2002]

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• extra: Study: Viking Teeth Were Groovy [01/24/2006]

[SunkenCiv]

[BradyLS]

Looks like Burl Ives.

🎶Silver and gold, silver and gold…🎶

[PLMerite]

[For more on Viking fashion, go to "Vikings in Furs."]

"Very nice..."

[Windcatcher]

The story surrounding that ad campaign is legendary. It became an international incident.

[ransomnote]

[Governor Dinwiddie]

[Beowulf9]

😆

That was a great commercial!

[SunkenCiv]

If he can make his belly jingle, it’s Burl Ives.

Wow, that one’s so old, I’m going to have to look it up myself...

[Governor Dinwiddie]

It does indeed look like Burl Ives!

[laplata]

Yes, it does look like Burl Ives.

[dljordan]

You’re right it does.

[Ex-Con777]

I was waiting for a picture of Greta.

EC

[SunkenCiv]

Eww. 😉

[Red Badger]

So, ‘FADES” were popular a thousand years ago?

All styles will come back in sooner or later................

[Red Badger]

[Sirius Lee]

Doesn’t look like the viking had a twat knot.

[Red Badger]

Of course knot.

It would have been a ‘handle’ in a fight................