Northern Europe, Viking / Norse culture, ca. 9th to 10th century CE. Northern Europe, Viking or Norse culture, ca. 8th to 11th century CE. A beautiful double-banded bracelet formed from a single strip of silver. One terminal forms a loop and is topped with a stylized snake head displaying circular eyes, an elongated snout with incised nostrils, and petite scales, while the other end tapers to a pointed tail that wraps around the body of the bracelet three times horizontally just below the head, holding the piece together. Large ovals have been incised along the body of the serpent, forming scales. A stunning piece of wearable jewelry from the ancient Vikings! Silver quality: 95.26% to 98.4%; Size: 3.25" in diameter (8.3 cm); Size of interior: 2.625" in diameter (6.7 cm); Weight: 93.6 grams

The serpent form may relate to the Norse myth of Jormungandr (Jormungand), the Midgard Serpent, a child of Loki and a giantess who according to legend grew so large that it was able to surround the earth and grasp its own tail, forming an ouroboros. According to legend, when it releases its tail, Ragnarok, the final battle of the gods that will result in the Earth becoming completely covered in water, will begin. One of the most popular iconography in Norse art concerns the story of Thor and Jormungandr. In classic Thor style, he sets off on a reckless fishing expedition, taking the head of an ox as his bait, and sails further out to sea than he should. With a large hook and the ox head, he catches Jormungandr, who surfaces, poison and blood dripping from his mouth. Thor's fishing companion, the giant Hymir, quickly cuts Thor's line before he can slay the serpent with his hammer and Jormungandr sinks beneath the waves, the threat at bay - for the moment. Multiple Viking picture stones have been found depicting this story, including one from as early as the late 8th century. Perhaps this serpent bracelet was inspired by that story.

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection, acquired in 2014; ex-east Berlin, Germany collection, acquired in 1988; ex-private Riga, Latvia collection, acquired between 1979 and 1988 ; found on the Baltic Sea coast / Kaliningrad, USSR (Koenigsberg, Russia) region prior to 1979

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#162843

Chip to top of snake's head. Otherwise, intact and excellent with lovely patina throughout.