Drinking horn with mythical creatures
3D-model of a drinking horn with mythical creatures in the collections of the Swedish History Museum (CC by 4.0).
Drinking horns have been used for several thousand years during celebrations and festivals. In the Middle Ages, horns were used by royalty, wealthy individuals, and priests. They were often decorated with animal motifs, patterns, and various inscriptions. Sometimes the horn would be marked with the owner’s coat of arms.
In addition to decorative fittings, medieval drinking horns sometimes had feet so they could stand steadily on a table filled with drink. It is clear that their owners valued them highly, and some even received names! “Rinnianden,” “Hornbrokan,” and “Krok” are just a few examples of named drinking horns from the 14th century.
Horns were often made of silver, but could also be made from animal horn, bone, or wood. This drinking horn is made of birch and features two mythical creatures: a dragon and a creature called a “griffin.”
Drinking horn with mythical creatures
The original object that has been 3D scanned.
On view at Historiska museet in the exhibition Guldsmidesgalleriet
Digitisation in 3D
The Swedish History Museum is part of the government agency National Historical Museums. The organisation is constantly working to digitise its collections. One example of this work is the creation of 3D models of some of the museum’s objects.
How is a 3D model made?
A photographer takes a large number of still photos of an object from different angles. These images are then processed by computer software to create a digital version of the object – a 3D model. This technique is called photogrammetry or Structure from Motion (SfM).
In this way, 3D models of objects from the museum’s collections are continuously being created. The models are made available on the platform Sketchfab.com, where you can view, download and freely reuse them under an open licence. Have you used our 3D models to create something you’d like to share with us? Or would you like to get in touch with the department responsible for the 3D models? Feel free to email: bilder@shm.se
