A piece of the past, made to be worn Viking Age Bronze Rare Ear Pick Object Type:Ear pick Dating (Century / Range): Viking Age, ca. 9th–11th century AD Material: Copper-based alloy (likely bronze) Manufacturing Technique: Cast Form: Slender elongated shaft with a slightly thickened grip and gently curved terminal Dimensions: 47.8x5.1 mm Weight: 3.40 gr Description This elongated copper-alloy object is consistent with personal grooming implements commonly attributed to the Viking Age (ca. 9th–11th century AD), specifically ear-cleaning tools (ear picks or ear scoops). Such objects are frequently encountered in Scandinavian and Norse cultural contexts and are well documented in archaeological assemblages from settlements and burial sites across Northern Europe. The form—characterized by a slender shaft, a slightly thickened or decorated grip section, and a subtly curved terminal—is typical of Viking-era grooming instruments. These items often formed part of personal toiletry sets, alongside tweezers and small knives, reflecting the well-attested emphasis on personal hygiene within Viking society as noted in both archaeological and historical sources. The surface patination and wear are consistent with long-term burial and age. While exact function cannot be determined with absolute certainty, the overall morphology strongly supports an interpretation as a personal ear-cleaning implement rather than a utilitarian tool or weapon. Comparable examples are preserved in museum collections and published excavation reports from Scandinavia and the wider Viking cultural sphere. This object therefore represents a tangible element of everyday life in the Viking Age and offers insight into personal habits and material culture beyond martial or decorative artifacts. Information The object is presented together with the relevant legal sales documentation (invoice) and “was acquired at an auction associated with N.K.I. Auction House in Germany, subsequently purchased in 2026 by its previous owner N.A. in the Netherlands, and has passed to me in its present condition;” in accordance with applicable personal data-protection regulations, identifying information relating to prior ownership is not disclosed. The object has been documented using high-resolution equipment in line with documentary and aesthetic presentation principles; no intervention has been made to its form, structural integrity, or physical characteristics, and only limited color-balance adjustment has been applied. Upon request, museum-catalogue-standard technical photographs may be provided while the auction is ongoing. If requested prior to shipment, an expert report addressing cultural period and iconographic assessment, together with a signed ownership document issued in the buyer’s name, can be supplied in PDF format within 3–5 business days. Statements regarding dating, function, symbolic interpretation, and material identification represent high-probability academic assessments based on typological comparisons, parallels in museum collections, and expert opinion; definitive conclusions require advanced laboratory analysis and fall outside the scope of the platform’s sales process. Prospective buyers are advised to evaluate the images in conjunction with the stated measurements, as high-resolution photography may influence perceived scale. Throughout the presentation and sales process, principles of scholarly consistency, transparency, and good faith are observed, and no object is knowingly offered as a copy or imitation.