When you imagine a Viking king, what do you see? Is it a mighty sword? A jewelled torc? Or perhaps a mighty, shaggy cloak blowing in the wind, bringing to mind legends of bear-skinned warriors?

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That heavy cloak is called a vararfeldr, and is woven from loose locks of wool, giving it an impressive, voluminous look. Used by seafaring Vikings from the 9th Century, they provided natural insulation and waterproofing due to the lanolin in the locks.

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These cloaks are described in historic law books, mentioned in sagas, depicted in tapestries, and a Viking king even took his name from one. Remnants have been found in Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Russia, Scotland, and the Isle of Man. It is clear that these remarkable pieces of craft were an important part of Viking life, as a unit of trade, a defence against the elements, and a mark of status.​

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As a modern maker of vararfeldir using historic methods and tools, Sarah Rosenthal-Almirall has been on a journey to improve our understanding of these amazing textiles by transforming rare archaeological records of fabric fragments, preserved over centuries, into living, tactile objects.​

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Together with writer and researcher Alicia Anne Adams, Sarah is sharing the exciting history of these Viking cloaks via an international touring exhibition, and offering visitors a chance to see, feel, and even wear her amazing replica vararfeldir, made using archaeological reports of surviving historical remnants.

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These cloaks will be based on remnants found in Iceland, Norway, Scotland and the Isle of Man, demonstrating the variety and versatility of the garment. The exhibition will include excerpts from historical texts and reports from archaeological digs, shedding light on how the vararfeldr became such an ubiquitous symbol across Northern Europe.

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The exhibition will also feature a series of short stories, touching on the people who wove, traded and wore these remarkable cloaks, from weavers to warriors to legendary rules.

 

Are you interested in hosting the Vararfeldr exhibition in your museum, gallery or venue? Contact us to find out more!​​