Large Viking Silver Ring

£ 160.00

A fine, large Viking ring formed from a thick silver wire. The strand overlaps at the front with the tapering ends coiling mid-way around itself.

Closest UK ring size: U

Date: Circa 9th-11th century AD
Condition: Fine condition, signs of wear and tarnishing of silver consistent with age. Internal diameter: 2.0cm

SOLD

SKU: CY-291 Category:

In Viking communities, gifting was an important social ritual with great implications regarding expectations of honour and loyalty. In these cases, jewellery was not simply worn for aesthetic purposes; rings such as this one were often given as gifts in order to cement bonds of loyalty between a lord and his followers or warriors. Bestowing gifts was also a key way to demonstrate wealth and power. Both Viking men and women enjoyed wearing jewellery as an indicator of wealth and social status, wearing these pieces kept their wealth safe and secure.

Weight 4.35 g
Dimensions W 2.8 cm
Culture

Region

,

Metal

Reference: For a similar ring made of gold,The British Museum, item 1849,0301.27.

You may also like…