Northern Europe, Viking or Norse culture, ca. 9th to 11th century CE. A gorgeous and finely preserved bracelet of a circular shape formed from 90% silver. The hammered bracelet has a recessed gap underneath the central band that shows where and how the protruding peaks were formed, and impressed linear and triangular motifs accentuate each side of the lateral bands. The spiraling terminals twist outwards and wrap around the opposite terminal to form an enclosed strap that was adjustable when first made. Size: 3" W x 3" H (7.6 cm x 7.6 cm); (interior width): 2.5" W (6.4 cm); quality of silver: 90%; total weight: 58.5 grams.
Silver was the principal currency of the Viking world, which stretched from Russia to northern Canada at the height of their influence. In many places, the Vikings kept silver not as coins, but as jewelry, a wearable currency form that was not subject to the authority of a monarch or mint. One of the most common archaeological finds from the Viking period is a hoard of metal objects, often buried in the earth or deposited in bodies of water, like river beds.
Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-private Kaliningrad (Koenigsberg) and then Latvia collection; found on the Baltic Sea coast prior to 1982
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#157675
Condition
Very slight bending to overall form, with softening to some impressed motifs, and light encrustations within recessed gap, otherwise intact and excellent. Great patina throughout. Wearable as shown.