A Braid from Hallstatt
By Kaitorix Arvernom
I ’ve recreated a braid found in the Hallstatt mines in Austria, dated between 800-400BCE. It’s 15 strands, and about 2cm wide. The original was probably made by two people fingerlooping, but since I only have two hands, I used a free end method which can be done by one person. I found the pattern much easier to follow when flipped upside down, but I’m almost certain the end result is the same.
I used hessian twine because I had some in the house, but I’d like to reattempt this with some different coloured yarns at some point. I chose to work in short-ish lengths and twist in more twine as I went, to keep it more manageable. I also wasn’t sure how much I’d need.
The length is about 130cm, and I plan to use it as a belt. It works fine as a belt when tied, but when I can poke around op shops again, I’ll be keeping an eye out for a suitable buckle to insert.
Hallstatt textile finds. The bottom braid is the one I recreated.
The free end braiding pattern.
My braiding setup. I redrew the pattern upside down, and used some cardboard as a thread guide.
One side of the braid.
Other side of the braid.
Full braid.
A statue found in France, dated 1st-2nd century BCE. I will use the shape of the buckle as a reference when I’m able to look for one.
Bibliography
| Iron-Age Finger-Loop Braiding. Finds from the Hallstatt Salt Mine. In: Archaeological Textiles Review 57, 2015, 33-40 https://www.academia.edu/24657273/Iron-Age_Finger-Loop_Braiding._Finds_from_the_Hallstatt_Salt_Mine._In_Archaeological_Textiles_Review_57_2015_33-40 |
| Gallic Warrior God http://mudo.oise.fr/collections/details/dieu-guerrier-gaulois/ |