The Dancing Beasts of Hvirring

Here’s a cool new detector find from Hvirring in central Jutland, Denmark. I’ve never seen a piece like this before: measuring only 45 mm in length, it must be a top mount for something – box, horse yoke, staff? But the motif, four dancing gripping beasts, and the style they’re executed in, place the thing firmly in the 9th century. Note the little round ears and the cross-hatching on chest and rump.

Thanks to Dear Reader Jakob for the tip-off.