Scandinavian Viking gold finger ring

Code: 11562

This is an ancient Scandinavian Viking finger ring, dating to the 10th - 11th century A.D. The ring appears unfinished without the usual punched decoration. The ring is made from a rod of gold beaten and hammered into a pointed lozengiform shape. Finger rings of this form are typical of the Middle Viking period (Graham-Campbell 1980, 61, cat. no. 219). Examples from Norfolk include Thetford (Goodall, A. R. in Rogerson and Dallas 1984, fig. 110 no. 12) and Beachamwell, Norfolk (Ager, B. in Treasure Annual Report 2004, 67-8, no. 86). It is a nice and simple design, perhaps traded for the valuable gold content as a form of portable wealth. See also NMS-BA6115, NMS-2E07D4 and DENO-9A6C17 for further examples.

OBJECT: Finger Ring

CULTURE: Viking

DATE: c. 10th - 11th century A.D.

MATERIAL: Gold

RING SIZE:    7  (US)    O  (UK)

SIZE:  19mm x 20mm x 6mm x 3mm

WEIGHT:  3.45 grams

PROVENANCE: Ex. European private collection, Estonia.