A striking reconstruction of a Viking Age high seat—an ornate chair reserved for elite figures—has been unveiled as part of a major exhibition in Trondheim, offering visitors a rare glimpse into the power structures of early medieval Norway.
The chair, crafted by traditional woodworker Kai Johansen at the Stiklestad National Cultural Centre, is believed to be the first high seat created in Central Norway since the Viking Age. It now forms a centrepiece of the ‘Viking’ exhibition at the NTNU University Museum.
A Seat of Power in Viking Society
Decoration on the high seat. Photo: Ragnhild Sirum Skavhaug
High seats held deep symbolic and social importance in Viking Age halls. Positioned prominently within longhouses, they were reserved for the most powerful individual on a farm or estate—typically its head.
“It was the most prestigious seat in the hall, and not just anyone could sit there,” explained Ellen Grav, who coordinates public outreach work on archaeology at the museum.
The new reconstruction is part of the exhibition’s second phase, which shifts focus away from seafaring exploits to the agricultural foundations of Viking society. While popular imagination often centres on ships, raids, and distant travel, most people in the Viking Age lived and worked on farms.
“The farm is the cornerstone of Viking society as a whole,” Grav noted.
Farming and Power in Early Medieval Norway
Ellen Grav is not convinced about the seating comfort, but says it gives a very special feeling to sit in this chair. Photo: Ragnhild Sirum Skavhaug
Recent archaeological work in Central Norway has reshaped understanding of how Viking communities functioned. Large farming estates played a key role in generating wealth, producing surplus goods that could be traded across long distances.
These estates also collaborated to fund expeditions, pooling resources to build ships and equip voyages. The resulting networks brought foreign goods—including religious objects and luxury items—back to Norway.
Excavations have revealed traces of these settlements through postholes, cultivation layers, and remains of brewing activities. Burial mounds found nearby further point to the social importance of these sites.
“We now know more about farms and farming communities in the Viking Age than we did just 5–10 years ago,” Grav added.
Reconstructing a Lost Object
No original high seats from Central Norway have survived, making the reconstruction a complex task grounded in archaeological and historical research. Johansen drew on a range of sources, including the famous Oseberg chair from 834 AD, a ceremonial chair preserved in St. Peter’s Basilica, and decorative motifs found on artefacts such as a carved bone tube discovered in Nordmøre.
“The chair itself was fairly quick to make. It was the preparations that took the longest time,” Johansen said, noting the extensive research required before construction began.
The result is a richly detailed object designed not only to reflect historical evidence but also to engage visitors’ imagination. Carved animal-head details and carefully considered ornamentation evoke the atmosphere of a Viking longhouse, where status and authority were visually reinforced.
Bringing the Viking Hall to Life
A somewhat special day for researcher Geir Grønnesby and Ellen Grav, who are seen here carrying the high seat into the exhibition halls at the NTNU University Museum. Photo: Ragnhild Sirum Skavhaug
The design of the exhibition space itself helped inspire the reconstruction. Rows of posts within the gallery echo the structure of Viking longhouses, allowing the high seat to be placed in a setting that mirrors its original context.
“The idea of creating a high seat for the exhibition was inspired by the design of the exhibition space,” explained researcher Geir Grønnesby.
Visitors are encouraged to imagine stepping into a dimly lit hall, where the high seat dominates the room—transforming the occupant into the focal point of authority.
Alongside the chair, the exhibition also features artefacts that highlight the far-reaching connections of Viking society. Among them are two rare house-shaped reliquary caskets from Ireland and a gold fitting from a crozier, likely brought back to Norway through raids or trade in the British Isles.
Expanding the Story of the Vikings
The ‘Viking’ exhibition first opened in June 2024, initially focusing on travel, trade, and maritime technology. This new phase adds depth by exploring daily life and the social structures that supported Viking expansion.
Future plans for the exhibition include a third phase dedicated to religion and religious practices, with an emphasis on how belief systems were lived and experienced rather than simply represented.
By reconstructing a high seat—an object that once embodied authority and identity—the exhibition offers a tangible connection to the people who shaped Viking Age society, moving beyond ships and battles to reveal the world at home that made those journeys possible.
Top Image: The high seat was the chieftain’s fixed place in the longhouse. This is neither an original nor a replica. The decoration is based on other archaeological finds and written source material. Photo: Ragnhild Sirum Skavhaug
A striking reconstruction of a Viking Age high seat—an ornate chair reserved for elite figures—has been unveiled as part of a major exhibition in Trondheim, offering visitors a rare glimpse into the power structures of early medieval Norway.
The chair, crafted by traditional woodworker Kai Johansen at the Stiklestad National Cultural Centre, is believed to be the first high seat created in Central Norway since the Viking Age. It now forms a centrepiece of the ‘Viking’ exhibition at the NTNU University Museum.
A Seat of Power in Viking Society
High seats held deep symbolic and social importance in Viking Age halls. Positioned prominently within longhouses, they were reserved for the most powerful individual on a farm or estate—typically its head.
“It was the most prestigious seat in the hall, and not just anyone could sit there,” explained Ellen Grav, who coordinates public outreach work on archaeology at the museum.
The new reconstruction is part of the exhibition’s second phase, which shifts focus away from seafaring exploits to the agricultural foundations of Viking society. While popular imagination often centres on ships, raids, and distant travel, most people in the Viking Age lived and worked on farms.
“The farm is the cornerstone of Viking society as a whole,” Grav noted.
Farming and Power in Early Medieval Norway
Recent archaeological work in Central Norway has reshaped understanding of how Viking communities functioned. Large farming estates played a key role in generating wealth, producing surplus goods that could be traded across long distances.
These estates also collaborated to fund expeditions, pooling resources to build ships and equip voyages. The resulting networks brought foreign goods—including religious objects and luxury items—back to Norway.
Excavations have revealed traces of these settlements through postholes, cultivation layers, and remains of brewing activities. Burial mounds found nearby further point to the social importance of these sites.
“We now know more about farms and farming communities in the Viking Age than we did just 5–10 years ago,” Grav added.
Reconstructing a Lost Object
No original high seats from Central Norway have survived, making the reconstruction a complex task grounded in archaeological and historical research. Johansen drew on a range of sources, including the famous Oseberg chair from 834 AD, a ceremonial chair preserved in St. Peter’s Basilica, and decorative motifs found on artefacts such as a carved bone tube discovered in Nordmøre.
“The chair itself was fairly quick to make. It was the preparations that took the longest time,” Johansen said, noting the extensive research required before construction began.
The result is a richly detailed object designed not only to reflect historical evidence but also to engage visitors’ imagination. Carved animal-head details and carefully considered ornamentation evoke the atmosphere of a Viking longhouse, where status and authority were visually reinforced.
Bringing the Viking Hall to Life
The design of the exhibition space itself helped inspire the reconstruction. Rows of posts within the gallery echo the structure of Viking longhouses, allowing the high seat to be placed in a setting that mirrors its original context.
“The idea of creating a high seat for the exhibition was inspired by the design of the exhibition space,” explained researcher Geir Grønnesby.
Visitors are encouraged to imagine stepping into a dimly lit hall, where the high seat dominates the room—transforming the occupant into the focal point of authority.
Alongside the chair, the exhibition also features artefacts that highlight the far-reaching connections of Viking society. Among them are two rare house-shaped reliquary caskets from Ireland and a gold fitting from a crozier, likely brought back to Norway through raids or trade in the British Isles.
Expanding the Story of the Vikings
The ‘Viking’ exhibition first opened in June 2024, initially focusing on travel, trade, and maritime technology. This new phase adds depth by exploring daily life and the social structures that supported Viking expansion.
Future plans for the exhibition include a third phase dedicated to religion and religious practices, with an emphasis on how belief systems were lived and experienced rather than simply represented.
By reconstructing a high seat—an object that once embodied authority and identity—the exhibition offers a tangible connection to the people who shaped Viking Age society, moving beyond ships and battles to reveal the world at home that made those journeys possible.
Click here to learn more about the Viking exhibit at NTNU University Museum
Top Image: The high seat was the chieftain’s fixed place in the longhouse. This is neither an original nor a replica. The decoration is based on other archaeological finds and written source material. Photo: Ragnhild Sirum Skavhaug
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