Drinking Horn with Stand
Vegvísir
Generally made from cattle or goat horn, and used as a drinking vessel in many cultures across different time periods, the drinking horn held great significance, especially for ceremonies. It continued to see service right up until the early modern period, especially throughout Germanic Europe. A particularly popular drinking container through the early Middle Ages in Scandinavia, it enjoyed mentions in both the Prose Edda and the Poetic Edda. Although fragments of Viking Age horns are rarely recovered on archaeological digs, the number of preserved metal horn fittings lead to assume that their use was much more widespread than the actual horn finds indicate.
The drinking horn we offer here is hand-crafted from cattle horn, polished, and adorned with an engraved vegvísir framed by a sequence of runes. The vegvísir (way finder) is a magic symbol or a so-called sigil (galdrastafir) of Icelandic origin. An actual representation of this symbol features for the first time in the Icelandic Huld Manuscript by Geir Vigfússon from 1860, a collection of runes / spells and sigils. There it says:
If this sign is carried, one will never lose one's way in storms or bad weather, even when the way is not known.
Although the vegvísir is often referred to as a Viking compass nowadays, there is no evidence of it actually being used by the Norsemen in the Viking Age (a good 8 to 10 centuries before the manuscript was written). Nevertheless, it remains a meaningful symbol today. While the adherents of Heathenry, also known as Germanic Neopaganism, interpret it as a representation of the nine worlds of Norse mythology, it is often used in modern everyday life (for example in the form of a pendant or talisman) as a symbol for guidance in the figurative sense, intended to help its bearer weather the storms that life brings along the way, even on unfamiliar paths.
Whether in a modern home, or for re-enactment purposes in a medieval / Viking setting, this rustic, highly decorative drinking vessel will make for a true eye-catcher on any dining table.
For hygienic reasons, the horn is sealed on the inside with a food-safe varnish so that you may enjoy your favourite beer (or mead) to the fullest.
A convenient, easy-to-carry drinking horn stand made of hand-forged steel is included in the scope of delivery. The principle is quite simple: Just insert the horn through the opening, and the two legs of the stand and the tip of the horn will form a steady tripod, thus ensuring that you can always put your drinking horn down safely.
A great gift idea!
Details:
- Scope of delivery: drinking horn + metal stand
- Material: genuine cattle horn (buffalo), iron stand
- Engraved with a vegvísir with runes
- Holding capacity: approx. 200 to 300 ml *
- Weight (horn only): approx. 300 g *
- Horn stand: Inner diameter: approx. 6 cm; Length of legs: approx. 10 cm; Weight: approx. 120 g
Our drinking horns are not calibrated and thus exclusively intended for private use.
Drinking horns are not suitable for dishwashers and should be thoroughly cleaned before first (and after each) use with lukewarm water and a soft cloth. Do not use harsh cleaning agents that could damage the protective coating.
* Please note that specs will vary from piece to piece and that above pictures are for reference only. As horn is an organic product, natural variations in colour, shape, size, weight, and volume are to be expected. The horn’s capacity may vary from approx. 200 to 300 ml, while the colour may range from black to any shade or combination of brown, yellow, or ivory. Each horn is a hand-made, very unique piece, and yours will be chosen randomly from our stock.