Whalebone plaque from the boat burial at Scar, Sanday

Ornamented whalebone plaque, made in Norway between 750-850 CE. One of the grave goods belonging to the female from the Scar boat burial.

The plaque is ornamented and was the work of a highly skilled craftsperson.  At the top of the plaque, two inward-looking stylised animal heads have been carved.  Geometric ornament is carved around the edges of the plaque.  The areas between the bands of geometric ornament and curving neck of the animal heads are filled with punched rind-and-dot ornament.

Plaques such as this have been interpreted as smoothing boards, for ‘ironing’ small items with a glass linen smoother.  This example shows little sign of wear and was probably more valued for its symbolic value rather than functional use.

Around 60 plaques are known from the Viking world – and the Scar plaque is one of the finest examples.