Northern Europe, Viking / Norse culture, ca. 1000 CE. A truly beautiful and intricate bracelet made of interwoven strands of bronze and silver. Most of the band is curved, with a flat portion that is braided together in a design that imitates a leather belt. Iron pins hold together a hinge around the flat portion. The Vikings - groups of people who left Scandinavia to plunder and colonize northern Europe (and who travelled as far afield as northeastern North America and the great kingdoms of the Middle East) - had a distinctive artistic tradition, although many of the metals that they had were acquired through conquest and the bronze and silver for this belt likely were melted down from other objects, perhaps some acquired by looting a monastery or trading in the Mediterranean. Bronze and silver jewelry also served as a form of easily transported coinage; this piece would have spoken to the wealth of its owner. Size: 2.6" L x 3.2" W x 1.1" H (6.6 cm x 8.1 cm x 2.8 cm)

Provenance: Ex-Private Orange County, CA collection

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