Árbók Hins íslenzka fornleifafélags - 01.01.1999, Page 164

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ÁRBÓK FORNLEIFAFÉLAGSINS
interval from right on the upper transversal panel of back in Ari's chair, made up of two
srnall trees, represents the rune £ i.e. óðal (inherited estate), while the interval farthest
right probably has the equal of the rune T ýr, Icel. „valkyija", or warrior-maiden of
Óðinn. Parts of ornament, shaped as peltas, adjacent to the supports at front and back,
relate, it seems, to the upper and lower elements of the rune ?, ár, signifýing the Indo-
European cosmic egg as well as the harvest. From this rune derives H, forming a vertical
row near the top of the front pillar at left. At bottom of front a feature resembling a coi-
led rope may represent the threads of destiny, wielded by nornir according to ancient
Northern religion, but the band at top of Ari Jónsson's chair could show the fetter
Gleipnir of the ragnarök myth. Another event of same myth, the killing of Fenrir by
Víðarr, is probably tnirrored on the right-hand rear pillar where the hilt of a sword enters
the flaring gap of a dragon. Monograms on the chairs conceivably go back to ancient
Roman emblems, in the one which has RB the human ftgure reveals influences, it seems,
from Byzantine art. The carving shows great skill in transforming signs frotn the runic
alphabet.The term „reiðustóll" probably signifies a chair in which were kept valuables.