GP 277 När Rikvide 2

Context and Discovery
The stone originates from the large burial ground south of Rikvide farm (RAÄ När 6:1). This cemetery covers an area of circa 475 x 170 m (NE–SW), including properties of Rikvide, Rikviderör, Smiss and Hallbjärs, and features about 800 circular stone settings, only a few of which have been excavated and could be dated to the Vendel and Viking Periods (Thunmark-Nylén 1995–2006 III:2, p. 625; IV:2, pp. 550–554). Including those graves, which have been destroyed, the total number could be more than 1000. Only very small parts of the cemetery have been investigated; however, some loose finds have been collected in the course of the decades. There are also two gravklot (large spherical stones) and some more picture stones (GP 276 När Rikvide I, GP 283 När Smiss II and GP 281 När Smiss 3) originating from the grave field. GP 280 När Smiss I was found near the farmstead of Smiss, not far from the grave field, next to a group of robbed grave mounds.

The stone was discovered in 1995 by a local man (Axel Svahn) during a field trip organized by the assembly on occasion of the ʻÖppet Gotlandʼ (Open Gotland) event (Östergren 1995; ATA dnr 321-1135-2003). The monument was found in a circular stone setting, situated in the western part of the burial ground, lying on top of the grave mound, which measured 4 to 5 m in diameter. However, when the spot was inspected in 2002, it was not possible to determine which grave mound with certainty. According to Majvor Östergren, who published the find in 1995 (p. 7), the stone had originally been erected on top of the stone setting or incorporated into the mound but was broken and thrown away when the grave was looted.
GP 276 När Rikvide (I)
GP 283 När Smiss II
GP 281 När Smiss 3
GP 280 När Smiss I

Measurements, Material and Condition
The limestone slab is 0.47 m high and 0.37 m wide, its original surface appears to have been relatively even. The picture stoneʼs root and probably a part of its base are broken off, but most of the mushroom-shaped monument is preserved. The surface and the carvings on both sides, however, in the middle field and in the upper part of the small stone, are in bad condition, heavily abraded and largely destroyed. Nevertheless, as the decoration was deeply carved and thoroughly worked out, the border and parts of the imagery are still discernible in certain areas.

Description of Ornament and Images
The monument is decorated on both sides, apparently in exactly the same way; however, only one of the faces preserves the images to a sufficient extent. The surface is much abraded and damaged, in particular, in the upper half, which is more or less indiscernible. Nevertheless, an elaborated variant of the typical step (geometrized interlace) pattern can be verified, which frames the image field, as well as a deeply carved chessboard pattern in the lower part of the surface. A group of Type B picture stones depict a similar rhombic pattern (see IX), which has been interpreted as symbolising a ship’s sail, which is not entirely convincing (Guber 2011, p. 67). At the top of the grid-like lower image field, the remains of two facing aquatic birds can be seen. They feature a massive body, a pointed tail, a long neck with a tiny head, and short legs. Most probably, they represent a goose or perhaps a swan. Photos and a reconstruction of the stoneʼs entire decoration is provided by a drawing by Ulla Sjöswärd (Östergren 1995, fig. 1–3).

Interpretation of the Imagery
There are at least ten Type B picture stones with images of single aquatic birds or facing pairs of waterfowl known so far (see IX). More information about the possible origin of this motif in Christian iconography and its interpretation in a pre-Christian Scandinavian context, in particular with regard to eschatological beliefs and ideas of the afterlife journey, see GP 276 När Rikvide I. Regarding Christian influence on the imagery of ʻAbschnittʼ B see also GP 551 Väskinde Butter and GP 274 Norrlanda Bringes.
GP 276 När Rikvide (I)
GP 551 Väskinde Butter
GP 274 Norrlanda Bringes

Type and Dating
Middle-type picture stone, i.e., Type B according to Lindqvist, dating between AD 500 and 700. The stone belongs to those Type B stones which feature a convex, almost ogival head with pronounced corners protruding horizontally. När Rikvide 2 can be assigned to Lindqvistʼs Stenstugruppe (1941/42 I, pp. 37), which, in particular, is characterized by depictions of aquatic birds in the lower field and a simple vessel in the upper field of the stone. Those monuments are frequently decorated on both sides. Lindqvist considers them to have been placed pairwise on graves. The currently known Type B monuments featuring single or pairs of aquatic birds are the following: GP 142 Halla Broa VII, GP 165 Halla Broa XVII, GP 129 Hablingbo Stenstu, GP 276 När Rikvide I, GP 277 När Rikvide 2, GP 10 Alva St. Ringome, GP 96 Garda Smiss I, GP 274 Norrlanda Bringes, GP 200 Hemse Lindvide, and the Type B dwarf stone found in Grobin, Latvia (Petrenko 1991; Lamm 1991; Lamm/Nylén 2003, pp. 210–211). The chessboard pattern in the monument’s lower part is a common feature shared by the Rikvide stone and GP 578 Alva Änge, GP 78 Eskelhem Larsarve II, GP 193 Hellvi Ire III, GP 354 Sjonhem Lilla Sojvide, GP 340 Sanda Sandegårda I, GP 273 Norrlanda Bjärs, as well as GP 92 Gammelgarn Rommunds.
GP 142 Halla Broa VII
GP 165 Halla Broa XVII
GP 129 Hablingbo Stenstu
GP 276 När Rikvide (I)
GP 10 Alva St. Ringome
GP 96 Garda Smiss I
GP 274 Norrlanda Bringes
GP 200 Hemse Lindvide
GP 578 Alva änge
GP 78 Eskelhem Larsarve II
GP 193 Hellvi Ire III
GP 354 Sjonhem Lilla Sojvide
GP 340 Sanda Sandegårda I
GP 273 Norrlanda Bjärs
GP 92 Gammelgarn Rommunds

References
Östergren 1995; Oehrl 2019a, p. 168; in print b.

mer grejer

Find Context

The Stone

Carvings

Detailed Information

Svensk sammanfattning

Identification

Links

Export

More media

Plane	Position	Flip