They are perhaps best known for being axe-wielding warmongers who brought terror to the countries they invaded . But despite their fearsome reputation , Vikings also had a love of jewellery and personal grooming , according to an exhibition at the National Maritime Museum in Cornwall . The bloodthirsty raiders even seemed to like 'cute and cuddly ' teddy bears and - in contrast to their association with violence and destruction - were skilled tradesmen . Scroll down for video . Bloodthirsty ? A new exhibition in Cornwall suggests Vikings were actually interested in personal grooming and jewellery . One of the displays at the National Maritime Museum shows a large bone comb with iron rivets dating back to the 9th or 10th centuries . Norse currency is also on display at the museum . Some of the exhibits show that the Vikings were keen tradesmen . The co-curator of the exhibition , Viking expert Gareth Williams , told the Guardian that although the Vikings ' reputation was 'justified ' their society was in fact 'so much more than murder and violence ' . He said : 'It ’ s a bit like the English football hooligans in the 1980s . They attracted the headlines and some people began to think all English people were like that . Which obviously is untrue . ' The museum , in Falmouth , has gathered artefacts from the British Museum , Ireland , Denmark and the Isle of Man for their exhibition Viking Voyagers . One of the exhibits showed bronze cloak and scarf pins found on the shoreline of the Isle of Man and coins from north Africa or the Middle East . Experts say the discovery shows a beach market would have been held there . The exhibition 's centrepiece is a replica of a 14 metre trading ship named 'Walrus ' which would have been used to transport loads of up to five tons up and down the coast . Warmongers : Although the Vikings have a reputation for death and destruction , the exhibition seeks to show other aspects of their society . Another display shows a large bone comb with iron rivets dating back to the 9th or 10th centuries . Mr Williams told the Guardian : 'Despite the popular image of Vikings as wild and shaggy looking , bone and antler combs are very common finds . ' The display also shows toiletry sets for women that include earscoops for digging out wax . As well as artefacts showing the Vikings interest in personal grooming , the collection also includes a brooch complete with bear heads . Mr Williams added : 'Those look like teddy bears to me . They are cute and cuddly . ' The exhibition 's co-curator revealed that Viking society was 'so much more than murder and violence ' The exhibition 's centre piece is a replica of a 14 metre trading ship named 'Walrus ' which would have been used to transport loads of up to five tons up and down the coast . Tehmina Goskar , the exhibitions registrar at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall , said the far west of Britain would have been an important point on a sailing route from Scandinavia to Brittany . 'We haven ’ t proved yet that they settled here but they raided and traded here , ' she said . 'There are tantalising bits of evidence that begin to suggest they may have settled , too – why wouldn ’ t they ? It ’ s a lovely place to be . ' Viking Voyagers is open from 20 March 2015 to 22 February 2017 .
Vikings had a love of jewellery and personal grooming , exhibition suggests . The bloodthirsty raiders also seemed to like 'cute and cuddly ' teddy bears . Display includes bone comb , cloak and scarf pins and women 's toiletries . Centre piece of exhibition is a replica 14 metre trading ship named 'Walrus ' Viking Voyagers on display at the National Maritime Museum in Cornwall , Falmouth .