Excited to share the latest addition to my #etsy shop: Oak Viking Wall Panel: Sigurd Slaying Fafnir, Hylestad Stave Church Design
Link to the store - https://mjolnirworkshop.etsy.com
Link to the wall panel - https://mjolnirworkshop.etsy.com/listing/4478118546
Inspired by the famous medieval carvings of Hylestad Stave Church, the panel recreates the dramatic story of Sigurd and the dragon Fafnir. The composition is divided into a left and right narrative section, allowing the entire legend to unfold across the surface of the carving.
Every detail is carefully crafted to capture the spirit of ancient Norse storytelling and the heroic deeds that shaped one of the most famous sagas of the Viking world.
✦ Left Side - The Slaying of Fafnir
The left portion of the panel depicts the legendary battle between Sigurd and the dragon Fafnir.
✧ Following the advice of Regin, Sigurd digs a pit along the dragon’s path at Gnita Heath. When the great serpent crawls across the ground above him, Sigurd thrusts his sword upward into the dragon’s heart. The moment captures the dramatic defeat of Fafnir and the triumph of the young hero.
✧ Nearby scenes show Sigurd roasting the dragon’s heart while Regin lies beside him. After touching the heart to test if it is cooked, Sigurd burns his finger and instinctively puts it in his mouth. By tasting the dragon’s blood, he suddenly gains the ability to understand the speech of birds.
✧ Two birds appear in the branches above, warning Sigurd that Regin intends to betray him. They reveal that wisdom and great treasure will belong to him if he acts first.
✦ Right Side - The Treasure and the Fate of the Curse
The right side of the panel continues the story after the dragon’s death.
✧ Heeding the birds’ warning, Sigurd slays Regin with the legendary sword Gram, preventing the betrayal and securing the treasure of Fafnir.
✧ Another scene shows Sigurd riding his horse Grani, who carries a chest filled with the dragon’s immense hoard of gold. Despite the heavy burden, the powerful horse bears the treasure effortlessly, symbolizing the wealth and fate that now belong to Sigurd.
✧ The final scene depicts Gunnar in the serpent pit. After refusing to reveal the hiding place of the cursed treasure, he is cast into a pit filled with snakes. With his hands bound, he plays a harp using only his feet, calming the serpents with music. All fall asleep except one great adder, which ultimately strikes and kills him, fulfilling the dark curse tied to Fafnir’s gold.
✦ A Tribute to Viking Craftsmanship This panel is carefully carved from solid oak, highlighting the intricate storytelling tradition of Norse mythological art. The continuous composition allows the entire saga to unfold across a single surface, echoing the narrative carvings found on medieval Scandinavian churches and monuments.
Inspired by authentic historical ornamentation, the panel brings the epic legend of Sigurd and Fafnir into modern interiors as both artwork and storytelling.
