The Birka Wallet is a ‘small’ storage bag recovered from a bog and dated to around 900 AD. Small extant fragment were excavated, and much of the published discussion of the purse is based on artistic interpolation and conjecture. The confirmed facts are it had multiple pockets, decorative woven strips, and was made from leather.

Extending the conjecture, the Birka wallet served a practical purpose, was probably a frequently handle object, and was not a heavy duty, high wear item.

I ran a make and take class using my interpretation on the purse at 3rd Stonemarche Garb Schola in March 2023.

My design criteria was:
– Mostly finished in 90 minutes with minimal or no tools needed
– Period appropriate
– Serve a practical purpose
— Carry a twin pan balance scale with weights (My period use case)
— Carry sewing supplies (suggest use case from housemate)
— Carry fire starting kit (use case from a participant in class)
– Kit-able: easily cut from a pattern, or automation (e.g. laser cut or stamped)

SVG file that can be used with a laser engraver/cutter:

For my 10W laser, cutting at 60% power and 1mm/s speed produced the most consistent result with the least amount of charring on the leathers I had available.

My example Birka wallet: