Excavation of Oseberg Viking age ship discovered in a large burial mound at the Oseberg farm near Tønsberg in Vestfold County, Norway began in 1903. The Oseberg ship dated from 834 AD, was pulled ashore and used as a burial ship for the two ladies. That site also contained numerous richly decorated objects in wood. The characteristic motif of the style is gripping beasts. The gripping beast motif is what clearly distinguishes the early Viking art from the styles that preceded it.

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Photo credit: © Photo12/Ann Ronan Picture Library / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
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Keywords: 20th, animal, century, head, lion, norway, ornamentation, oseberg, viking, wood