Tortoise brooches, textile impressions and textiles

Abstract

This article deals with the identification of fabric used at the production of tortoise/oval brooches and finding out the function ofthe textile fabric in the casting process. One hundred textile impressions on the reverse side of tortoise/oval brooches from Birka, Björkö parish, Uppland, and Vendel, Vendel parish, Uppland, from the Early and Middle Viking Periods were analysed and "translated" to original fabric. After comparison with contemporary fabric, the quality and way of production of the analysed "translated" fabrics could be established.