Upmarket viking kit

[the_power]

Ok, so I've finished my lovely lined blue shirt recently. I need something to go over it. I've a square cloak, but I was hoping for something a little more practical, for indoor events.

So, I initially though a Caftan, but it seems despite the possibility of caftan buttons being found in Dunmore they are a) expensive to make b) possibly only a pendant anyway, c) not very west-viking. So, anyone recommend a nice 10thC garment for over a shirt ? Split coat, trimmed in sable ?

John

[Guthrum]

A *really* nice woollen tunic, with silk and pearl trim, and roundels with real gold and silk embroidered work, framed in pearls - oh, and a neck band in silk with gold-thread couched decoration?

[Guthrum]

See poor quality image in my Gallery

As for a nice coat, Cynewulf has a good pattern...

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/cynewulf/d ... page58.htm

...and I'd have reservations about a sable trim, but if you can evidence coat trims in the 10th century...

[frodo]

Maybe if your thinking of a coat go for an earlier period pattern such as the bathrobe type seen on the pressblach plates on the vendel helmets and sutton hoo etc. No buttons involved but a good choice of materials and nice trimming could be a very interesting piece.
Other examples with actual historical references... sort of
http://histvarld.historiska.se/histvarl ... byxor.html
http://wychwood.wikidot.com/kit-coats

Quite nice pieces working on one meself once I get the time...

[Andrea L Redden]

the possibility of caftan buttons being found in Dunmore

Speaking of the 'buttons' from Dunmore Cave, anybody seen/have a photo of them? I'd be very interested to see what they look like.

Andrea

[the_power]

Here is one, and the other attached image has more, including a page from the "Treasures of the National Museum of Ireland" (sent to me by the museum) describing them;

img055.jpg (214.85 KiB) Viewed 6323 times

John

[Guthrum]

Nice images.

As usual, they show them all from the front and don't show the bit round the back which would help you to figure out how they treat the ends of the wires and control the woven pattern...grrrr.

[Andrea L Redden]

Thanks John. I second what Andy said. Do you have anywhere what diameter they are? I've seen it mentioned somewhere that 3 sizes were found.

Andrea

[the_power]

I only saw them from a distance, and couldn't get a photo of them due to the fact they don't use museum glass. They look to vary from 2cm to 3cm diameter.

John

[vlasta]

.
As usual, they show them all from the front and don't show the bit round the back which would help you to figure out how they treat the ends of the wires and control the woven pattern...grrrr.

Here's the photo, where the back of two of them is wisible: