hjartaáverka

hjartaáverka is a term originating from the Icelandic dialect of the north Icelandic region, referring to a traditional type of heart-shaped bone vessel used historically in folk medicine to hold medicinal herbs or plant extracts. The name derives from the Icelandic word hjarta meaning ‘heart’ and the diminutive suffix –erka, denoting a small container. In practice, hjartaáverka were typically carved from a variety of locally available bones such as whale, elk, or sheep, and the interior was often polished to a smooth finish to preserve the integrity of the herbs stored within. In traditional Icelandic healing rituals, practitioners would place the vessel near the heart of a patient as a symbolic gesture of protection against disease, and the vessel was associated with the belief that the “heart” of the medicine could be absorbed through the patient's own heart.

The use of hjartaáverka declined after the 18th century with the introduction of glass and ceramic containers, yet archaeological remains of these bone vessels have been found in graves in the northern part of Iceland, suggesting a ceremonial use as grave goods. Modern researchers have studied hjartaáverka to gain insight into the era’s pharmacopeia and the role of symbolism in early Icelandic healing practices. Ethnographers regard the vessel as an example of how material culture and symbolic meaning intertwine in the lived experience of communities facing limited medical technology.