7th-10th Century Viking Birka Tooled Bag

A non-typical example of a Norse bag is this example which actually has a buckle for the closure. The style and shape of the bag is similar to many of the period in the way it hangs from the belt as well as its size and shape, but the strap is a single piece of leather that extends around the back of the bag to the front. It is stitched at the top near the purse flap to form the belt loop then continues to form the strap for the buckle. The strap from the back of the bag wraps around to front and carries the buckle where it is secured. This example is finely tooled with a pair of knot-worked dogs with large tooled points to add to some flare. The purse is a dark Cordovan and has a brass period buckle for its closure.