Ancient Scandinavian Viking Gold Finger Ring

Code: 10604

This is a simple ancient Scandinavian Viking gold finger ring, dating to the 10th - 11th century A.D. The terminals taper to a point and overlap, the hoop graduates and is thickest in the centre. Similar rings have been dated to the late Anglo-Saxon period, a few excavated in Fressingfield, see SF-10850 and SF-2B1A88 and Freckenham, see SF-2AFE75. Rings which have simply overlapped ends and are thicker at the front are typical of the Viking period e.g. from Gotland, Sweden (L. Thunmark-Nylén, 1998, Die Wikingerzeit Gotlands, Stockholm, vol. 2, pl. 143: 2, 4, and 9). Examples with the ends hammered flat together are less common. The type is known from the late 9^th century and the form continued in use in Denmark into the early 12^th century. Similar examples have been recorded from KENT-565E76 and Suffolk SF-18E973. This example is intact, solid and wearable. Such a simple ring may have been intended as portable bullion or worn as a wedding ring.

OBJECT: Finger Ring

CULTURE: Viking/Saxon

DATE: c. 10th - 11th century A.D.

MATERIAL: Gold

RING SIZE:  7 (US)    O  (UK)

SIZE: 20mm x 21mm x 2mm 

WEIGHT:  2.2 grams

PROVENANCE: Ex. D. McLennan Collection, Reading. Originally acquired in Oslo, Norway.