A runestone with a connection to Ekerö municipality

Runic inscription

Front:

Gy and Sven they raised the stone for Bärsa, their good father.
 

Edge:

Ärnfast carved the stone after Bärsa, Vigärd's husband, Torgärd's good son.

Runcarver:

Ärnfast

Facts:
Light granite.
240 x 70 x 50 cm.
The rune stone is carved on two sides as Ärnfast often did.
The runestone is well preserved.
 

Ornamentation

Artistically, this is a break in Ärnfast's career from experimental beginner to a more secure and confident rune carver... but still curious and full of experimental desire.

Ärnfast pushes the limits

See the obverse crest decorated with a unique plume or bush, the front animal's back merging with the cross, and the dragon's nape transforming into a snake. Ärnfast pushes the boundaries and explores his artistic freedom.

Maybe this is his runecarving number 5 or 6 and some details are starting to take shape while others have some left, but it will get better, it will be really good...

The ear and the foot take shape and are recognizable on the beautiful U 35 at Svartsjö castle. If another 4-5 runestones, it is probably Ärnfast who carves it.
 

History

The runestone is not in its original place!

It was moved here around 1860 from Lunda meadow next to Skesta. It seems to have been moved here and placed on top of a Viking Age burial mound as a decoration in the immediate surroundings of Hässelby farm.

Links

Upplands runinskrifter > page 106
(Only in Swedish)

Runor >  Riksantikvarieämbetet

Google map > Find the runestone

kalle@runristare.se
If you want to be of help or have a question.
 

Extra Runestones:

Ärnfast, his artwork outside Ekerö municipality

U 79 - Hässelby, by Ärnfast

U 123 - Karlberg, by Ärnfast

U 885 - Balingsta, by Ärnfast

Selected runestones that are also depicted in the Runestone park (Runstensparken)

Sö 141b - Aspa bridge with Svitjod

Sö 179 - Gripsholm, an Ingvar runestone

U 887 - Skillsta, one of the most beautiful

Vs 29 - Livsten's masterpiece at Sala