Most people know the Norse gods from films these days. The old stories are rougher and stranger. Below are the Norse pieces from our mythology collection and what lies behind each of them.
Odin
The chief god, god of wisdom, poetry and death in battle. He gave up one of his eyes for a drink from Mímir's well of wisdom, and hung for nine nights on the world tree Yggdrasil to learn the runes. Two ravens, Huginn and Muninn, fly over the world every day and tell him what they see.
In Odin that single eye glows blue. It is weathered gold and stone, with a lot of darkness around it.
Thor
Son of Odin, god of thunder and protector of gods and people against the giants. His hammer Mjölnir returns to his hand after every throw. Thursday is named after him. Thor is shown full length, hammer raised and lightning running down his arm.
Loki
The trickster. Loki can change his shape and helps the gods as often as he gets them into trouble. In the end he causes the death of Baldr, Odin's beloved son, and is bound in chains for it. Loki is a bust in black marble. The horned helmet, by the way, does not come from the old stories; that image is much later.
Fenrir
The giant wolf, a son of Loki. The gods watched him grow and became afraid. He broke two chains. The third, Gleipnir, was made of impossible things, such as the sound of a cat's footfall and the beard of a woman, and that one held. Fenrir would only let himself be bound if a god put a hand in his mouth. Týr did, and lost his hand. At Ragnarök, the end of the world, Fenrir breaks free and devours Odin. In Fenrir the wolf wears a mask of gold and blue stone.
Freya
Goddess of love and fertility, but also of battle and magic. She rides a chariot drawn by two cats, and half of the fallen go to her instead of to Odin. Freya is a pale portrait in profile, with braids and a fine crown.
The valkyries
The name literally means "choosers of the slain". The valkyries ride over the battlefield and carry fallen warriors to Valhalla, Odin's hall. Valkyrie shows a shield maiden in dented silver, with the battlefield faint behind her.
