Blackened Viking Triquetra Brooch
Specifications
| Color | Silver |
| Material | Alloy, blackened antique silver finish |
- For: men & women (adults)
- Blackened alloy, design in relief, pin on the back
- Free shipping from 49€ · secure payment
A Knot Defined by Shadow
This round Viking brooch features a relief triquetra—three interlocking arcs with no beginning or end—inscribed within a rope-bordered disc. The patina is more pronounced than on other pieces in our collection: the recesses turn black, the relief retains a grey glow, and the motif is defined by shadow rather than shine. Find it in our collection of Viking fibulae and brooches.
For a disc with an engraved rather than relief design, see the Vegvísir brooch.
What Sets This Brooch Apart
The patina is not just a finishing detail: it completely changes the interpretation of a relief motif.
- A deep black patina: the only one of its kind in our range. The jewelry hardly reflects any light at all.
- A relief motif, not engraved: the ribbons stand out from the background, creating true cast shadows.
- A twisted border: the disc is encircled by a rope cord that frames the composition.
- Discreet on dark fabrics: it sits on black or grey wool without standing out as a bright spot.
The same knot can be found on a hair accessory with the triquetra barrette.
Specifications
- Material: Alloy with blackened antique silver finish
- Fastening: Straight pin on the back, with clasp
- Workmanship: Relief motif, twisted border
- Worn on: Cape, shawl, coat, jacket lapel
- Care: Dry cloth — do not use silver cleaning products
Did you know?
The triquetra poses an attribution problem that archaeologists have yet to resolve. It is found on Scandinavian runestones, but also in 8th-century Irish Christian manuscripts, where it represents the Trinity. It is impossible to say which borrowed from the other: both worlds intersected in the Irish Sea for two centuries, and motifs traveled with objects. What can be said is that no Norse source assigns it a name or a meaning.
📖 To learn more: Discover our guide to Viking symbols.
♦ Complete Your Viking Collection
Discover other pieces you might like:
Brooch or hair barrette: which one to choose?
| Type | Where it is worn | What you need to know |
|---|---|---|
| Garment brooch (fibula) this product | On a cloak, a shawl, a coat or a jacket lapel. | These are the largest pieces in the range. Six close with a straight pin and a clasp; two are penannular: an open ring locked by the tension of the fabric, with no spring to wear out. |
| Barrette with a hair stick | In a bun, a braid or a half-up ponytail. | Two pieces: the plate sits on the hair, the stick goes through the lock and holds everything in place. You need enough hair for the stick to go through: with hair shorter than shoulder length, the hold becomes uncertain. |
| Light barrette or clip | On medium-length hair, including fine hair. | The filigree models have a small chain that holds the stick; the flat barrettes close with a clip and need no minimum length. These are the most discreet pieces and the easiest to put in. |
| Medallion barrette | Flat on a half-up ponytail or a low bun. | A solid disc that sits on the gathered lock instead of going through it. It is the shape that needs the least hair length, and the only one that shows a scene rather than an ornament. |
How to wear it
There is no size to choose. A brooch (fibula) is fastened to the fabric, not to the body: the only question is the cloth.
The six straight-pin models are worn like a classic brooch: push the pin through the fabric and close the clasp. They suit a jacket lapel, a shawl or a thick scarf.
The two penannular models (the open ring crossed by a long pin) work differently: pass the pin through the cloth, turn it a quarter turn, and the tension of the garment locks it against the ring. The more the cloak pulls, the tighter it holds. It is the most secure fastening on heavy wool, and the one with no mechanical part to break.
On thin fabric, any pin leaves a mark. These pieces are made for broadcloth, wool and thick linen, not for silk or fine knits.
Care: dry cloth. Avoid water, perfume and silver polish, which remove the patina lodged in the hollows: it is what gives the design all its relief.
What is a triquetra?
A knot of three interlaced arcs, with no beginning and no end, set here within a rimmed disc. It is one of the most widespread motifs in Celtic and Norse ornament.
Why is the finish so dark?
The metal is given a heavier patina than the other models in the section: the recesses turn black and the relief keeps a gray gleam. The contrast is sharper and the design more defined.
Is the design raised or engraved?
Raised: the ribbons of the knot stand out from the background, and the shadows settle between them.
How do I care for it?
A dry cloth only. Do not rub it with silver polish: that would remove the black patina that creates the whole effect.
Delivery — Allow 7 to 15 business days for mainland France, 10 to 20 days for the European Union. Free delivery on orders over €49.
Delivery guarantee — If your parcel is not delivered within 60 business days, we will provide an immediate reshipment or a full refund.
14-day returns — You have 14 calendar days from receipt to request an exchange or refund. The item must be returned within this period, in its original packaging.
Legal guarantees — All our products are covered by the legal guarantee of conformity and the guarantee against hidden defects, in accordance with the Consumer Code and the Civil Code.
