The British Museum commissioned Topografik in 2014 to source touchable objects for two handling stations to accompany their Viking Exhibition. The objects, wherever possible, were real or close replicas of the original items, and were mounted to ensure that they were both safe to touch and engaging to experience. The objects were sourced from specialists from countries across Europe, before being finished and mounted for display in the UK.

The objects can be seen in detail on the right, along with the handling stations on which they are displayed.

Tactile Station 1

Silver ingot – originated and cast in the UK

Fox fur – from a sustainable farm in Finland

Walrus ivory – Canadian origin

Reindeer antler – sourced from a reindeer park in the UK

Amber – UK sourced Baltic amber

Jet – UK sourced jet

Tactile Station 2

Rope – seal, lime bast and horsehair rope sourced from a specialist ropemaker in Norway

Sailcloth – traditionally woven sailcloth from Norway

Rivets – replica rivets made by Viking boat builders in Norway and Denmark.

Ship timber – rough timber sourced from Norway and carved and finished in the UK to form part of a Viking ship’s timber rib.

Images of both handling stations are used with the kind permission of the British Museum