Materials of Affect : Miniatures in the Scandinavian Late Iron Age (AD 550-1050)

• This paper discusses Scandinavian gold foil figures – small human-like figures hammered or cut out of thin foil – from the early part of the Scandinavian Late Iron Age (AD 550--1050) from a relational perspective. Earlier interpretations largely approach them as symbols and representations, which downplays a practice or performative role, and results in static or embalmed objects. In this paper the affective dimensions of the figures are discussed as well as some of the myriad rhizomatic relations that were generated through processes of making, manipulation and visual encounter. It is argued that during the Late Iron Age in Scandinavia certain human beings and gold foil figures were ontological equivalents. It is further argued that ontological equivalence also included other spheres; these were considered equivalent because the same desirable properties of wealth and regeneration were seemingly produced by different technical processes with different materials. Hence the processes of formation were primary, not states of matter. Seen this way gold foil figures go far beyond our contemporary understanding of representations.

Nyckelord

Gold foil figures

Late Iron Age

Scandinavia affect

relational ontology

Archaeology

Arkeologi

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

kap (ämneskategori)