Barbarian metalworking

The people from the prehistoric and early medieval periods are often pictured as uncivilized barbarians. However, these "barbarians" were actually pretty clever, and masters at many different crafts. In metalwork they reach such high levels, that even with our modern tools and knowledge, many artifacts can not be reproduced. Yet with the simple tools they had available, the made these fantastic artifacts. This forms an inspiration for me to re-learn this craft, and discover some of the secrets of the ancient metalworkers. Of course I can't reach the same levels as they did, but the more experience I get, the further I grow in the crafts, enabling me to reproduce a larger range of artifacts, as well as coming closer to the level of quality of the originals.

The methods I use range from fully authentic to combinations of modern and authentic methods. The goal of this site is to present my work, capture people's interest in the ancient crafts and the cultures that performed them. as well as giving inspiration and ideas to people involved in living history, or modern craftsmen and artists.  For the time being, the information is rather sparse due to time costraints. However, for questions I can be reached at: 

In order to get an impression of the equipement I use, check the casting and forging pages.

Mind that this is playing with fire, so potentially very dangerous! If you want to start casting or forging, check out these safety tips.

If you need artifacts for re-enactment, or just out of interest I now also offer castings for sale: Reproductions for sale

Oldest sword Arslantepe, Turkey 3300-3000BC	Canaanite khopesh blade by Neil Burridge Original: Beth-Yanai Coast, Israel, 14th cent B.C.	Bone hilted short sword Iran 11nd cent. B.C.	Wood hilted short sword Iran 11nd cent. B.C.	Scythian akinakes Original: Kam'ianka, Cherkas'ka Oblast, Ukraine, 6th cent. B.C.

Mycenean Type G blade by Neil Burridge	Sögel type sword Original: Nijmegen, Netherlands, 16th-15nd cent. B.C.	Sögel type sword Original: Drouwen, Netherlands, 18th-16nd cent. B.C.	Khopesh Original: Tell El Daba, Egypt, ~2000 B.C.

Bracelet Original: Onstwedde Holte, Netherlands, 8th cent B.C.	Palstave axe Original: Leimuiden, Netherlands, middle bronze age

The Hallstatt period spans roughly the first half of the iron age. The Hallstatt culture spread the use of iron throughout Europe. During this period, both iron and bronze were used side by side. The Hallstatt period is named after the place Hallstatt in Austria, where due to the salt and iron mines, the local people became very wealthy. In the rest of Europe, graves of similarly rich Hallstatt "kings" have also been found. One such example is the king of Oss, a very rich Hallstatt grave found in the Netherlands.
 

Bronze Mindelheim  type sword  blade by Neil Burridge Original: Kemmathen, Germany, 7th cent. B.C.

Arrowheads	King of Oss knife	Woman's knife

The transition from the Hallstatt to La Tene period marks the end of the Hallstatt kings. By this time, iron had completely replaced bronze, and bronze was only used for ornaments. The La Tene people had a very different material culture from the Hallstatt period, with a very unique style of artwork. The end of the La Tene period is marked by the conquest of the Romans.
 

Knife	Knife	Comb	Bracelet	Spearhead

Socketed iron axe

As you may see from the lack of the Roman period, I'm not particularly keen of the Romans, including their material culture. However, after they buggered off, things start to get interesting again. During the next few centuries, some of the most incredible metalwork was produced.
 

Bird fibula (Original in silver, with garnet eye)	Bird fibula	Bird fibula	S-fibula	Fibula with bird head decorations

Side knife (for a broadsax) 600-650AD Netherlands	Narrow sax  ~600AD Germany	Broad sax  600-700AD Germany	Long sax 700-800AD Netherlands	Woman's knife 6th century Rhenen, Netherlands

Light wrought iron axe Dorestad, Netherlands

The crafts of the early medieval period were continued for the most part in the Viking period, though with some decline however. Still some amazing pieces of craftmanship were made during this period.
 

Thor's hammer (tin)	Thor's hammer (bronze)	Thor's hammer (silver)

forging hammer

Broken back style sax (Honey lane type) 800-1100AD UK	Broken back style sax (Honey lane type) 800-1100AD UK	Broken back style sax (Honey lane type) 800-1100AD UK

This are some projects which have no direct historical basis, or not meant to be actual reproductions. Nevertheless, I use a lot of the knowledge and skills from the historical reproductions. Sometimes these comtemporary pieces also function to experiment with new techniques.
 

Seax-like knife	Small woodworking knife	Draw knife

Key-hanger of the bronze age skydisc of Nebra	Early medieval style bottle opener	Maori friendship symbol	Bronze elephant	Silver bronze Inca axe shaped hanger

Bronze miniature of a bronze age wooden figure from Ireland	Shibuichi (copper-silver alloy) ring