GP 283 När Smiss II

Context and Discovery
The fragment originates from the grave field south of Smiss gård, which represents the small western part of the large burial ground south of Rikvide farm in När parish (RAÄ När 6:1; Thunmark-Nylén 1995–2006 IV:2, pp. 551–552). It was collected by H. Alm in 1923 in an area close to a group of looted graves, together with a bronze and a silver penannular brooch and a miniature scythe (ibid. pp. 552–553). Ultimately, it is not clear whether the fragment was found west of the road, on the small part of the burial ground belonging to Smiss gård or in the area east of the road, which is ʻRikviderörʼ, belonging to Rikvide gård (ibid. pp. 553).

The entire grave field 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 more picture stones (GP 276 När Rikvide I, GP 277 När Rikvide 2, 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.
GP 276 När Rikvide (I)
GP 277 När Rikvide 2
GP 281 När Smiss 3
GP 280 När Smiss I

Measurements, Material and Condition
The very small fragment of the head of a picture stone is described by Lindqvist (1941/42 II, p. 105) in the following way: “Limestone slab. Only a 12 cm wide ‘splinter’ of not quite 3 cm thickness of the obverse has survived, which probably was naturally even, and of an adjacent portion of the narrow side hewn at an obtuse angle to the obverse. A chamfer between obverse and narrow side cannot be detected.” There is no picture of the stone in Lindqvist’s book. An early photograph, however, is available in the catalogue of Statens Historiska Museum.

Description of Ornament and Images
Of the decoration, which is carved with relatively wide grooves, only a piece of the framing border with a simple geometric step pattern survived. Furthermore, according to Lindqvist, there is a section of an arc discernible in the remaining part of the image field (1941/42 II, p. 105).

Interpretation of the Imagery
No interpretation

Type and Dating
According to Lindqvist (1941/42 I, p. 38), the tiny fragment originates from a middle-type picture stone, which means a Type B ʻdwarf stoneʼ, dating between AD 500 and 700. The discernable remains of a step pattern appear to represent the typical geometricized twisted cord pattern, which is indeed characteristic for Lindqvist’s ʻAbschnittʼ B. Since the piece is so small, the original shape of the head cannot be determined.

References
Lindqvist 1941/42 II, p. 105.

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