I got my copy of Refashioning Viking Age Garments in the mail last week. The book is a publication of a seminar that happened in Denmark in collaboration with Saxo Institute at the University of Copenhagen. The book is short, but was relatively inexpensive (around $40 after shipping to the US) and it arrived very quickly after I ordered it.
I was honestly iffy when I placed the order as I had encountered one of the individuals who showed a costume at the conference online. The project was interesting, but had no real connection to any of the archaeological finds of textiles or costume. I have to admit that it put me off.
Later, I heard (from someone who attended) that the actual conference was very good, and when I saw the list of presenters I had to purchase the book.
What I was not expecting with the book, is that many of the articles really focus on reenactors, as well as others who reconstruct historic costume, and how we present items from the past. It gives a great deal of food for thought on several topics (such as the use of tablet woven bands). I have only skimmed it thus far, but I look forward to digging deeper.
The costumes that were shown are all in photos at the end. There are some that are quite nice but there are also a few others that really make me wonder how they ended up there. For example, there is an 8th Cent coat from Moschevaja Balka with Bayeux tapestry embroidery. I find it very interesting that a book that has articles about better reproductions would have such an item included. If anything, it could be very, very confusing for a newcomer to Viking clothing. (The embroidery itself is stunning work, and the coat itself looks to be well crafted, but the entire concept is out of place and confusing.)
I plan to do a more in-depth review once I have read the book in its entirety. (I did notice as well that a couple of years ago there was a seminar on Viking Aristocracy and I believe a book is in the works from that event as well.)
If you are interested, you can purchase this book from the publisher here:
http://www.webshophum-en.ku.dk/shop/refashioning-viking-age-1717p.html
I was honestly iffy when I placed the order as I had encountered one of the individuals who showed a costume at the conference online. The project was interesting, but had no real connection to any of the archaeological finds of textiles or costume. I have to admit that it put me off.
Later, I heard (from someone who attended) that the actual conference was very good, and when I saw the list of presenters I had to purchase the book.
What I was not expecting with the book, is that many of the articles really focus on reenactors, as well as others who reconstruct historic costume, and how we present items from the past. It gives a great deal of food for thought on several topics (such as the use of tablet woven bands). I have only skimmed it thus far, but I look forward to digging deeper.
The costumes that were shown are all in photos at the end. There are some that are quite nice but there are also a few others that really make me wonder how they ended up there. For example, there is an 8th Cent coat from Moschevaja Balka with Bayeux tapestry embroidery. I find it very interesting that a book that has articles about better reproductions would have such an item included. If anything, it could be very, very confusing for a newcomer to Viking clothing. (The embroidery itself is stunning work, and the coat itself looks to be well crafted, but the entire concept is out of place and confusing.)
I plan to do a more in-depth review once I have read the book in its entirety. (I did notice as well that a couple of years ago there was a seminar on Viking Aristocracy and I believe a book is in the works from that event as well.)
If you are interested, you can purchase this book from the publisher here:
http://www.webshophum-en.ku.dk/shop/refashioning-viking-age-1717p.html
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