VIKING GOLD TWISTED PENNANULAR BRACELET - XRF TESTED

Object Description

Eastern Scandinavia or The Baltic, Early 2nd Millennium AD,

This stunning gold bracelet is one of the highlights of our collection. Formed of a series of interwoven strands, the intricate metalwork tapers at the edges to form solid, flat terminals. These terminals are stamped with two opposing rows of identical triangles, each punctuated by a relief pellet. An exquisite example.

This piece typifies the multiplicity of Viking Age jewellery: it is at once a bold adornment, a statement of wealth, and in a more practical sense, a store of wealth. This is because it would have also functioned as portable bullion, to be exchanged or in some cases cut up to facilitate trade. We are thus fortunate to have such a fine example intact. Arm-rings and neck-rings such as these were a particularly popular form of ornament for Viking traders and raiders. Please see the article above for discussion on the significance of gold rings as part of the Viking retinue system and elite social landscape. For a similar example, see: The British Museum, Museum number: 1849,0210.1

For additional information see:

Blurton, T. R., 1997, The enduring image : Treasures from the British Museum. British Council.

Wendt, A., 2008. “Viking Age Gold Rings and the Question of “Gefolgschaft”.” Lund Archaeological Review 13-14 (2007-2005), 75-90.

Size: L:73.5mm / W:67mm ; 72.67g

Object History

Freeman and Sear, Los Angeles. The Hall Family Collection. Ex. New York Gallery. Private collection, United Kingdom, acquired from the above; a copy of the original invoice to be included with the item. Please note that this item has been studied and assessed by experts at the Jorvik Viking Museum, York.

Object Details