Lykania, Historical Bead Maker

Volga to Vinland: Early medieval dress & textiles 9 November, 2024

Glass beads were an important part of life for the Norse. The story of beads is often complex with geographic and chronological variations. These variations are influenced by changing cultural norms, regional preferences, the availability of Roman glass remnants, the larger glass industry, and changing commodity markets.

Lykania has endeavored to understand the material culture of glass beads in the Norse world by exploring their variety. Her exploration includes experiments with charcoal fuel, clay furnaces, and period tools. Her collection of reproduction beads, tools, and materials tells the multifaceted story of North Atlantic glass from the fall of Rome though the Viking Age, from Norse religion to Christianity, from Denmark to Iceland.