Northern Europe, Denmark, Orupgard, Viking, ca. 10th century CE. A stunning and quite substantive silver bracelet - comprised of almost pure silver (99% silver) - presenting a torque form and a broad outer face adorned with a mesmerizing decorative program of incised, abstract undulating branch or spiraling wave motifs and stamped concentric circles. The central section of the ancient example is embellished with a column of petite applied pellets. As typical with a torque, the thick body narrows to two ends at the verso, each decorated with stamped triangular motifs. A gorgeous piece of jewelry, showcasing rich examples of Viking iconography and artistic virtuosity! Silver quality: 99.06%; Size: 9.125" L (23.2 cm); 3.25" in diameter (8.3 cm); Size of interior: 2.875" in diameter (7.3 cm); Weight: 118.4 grams

The Vikings hoarded precious metals, especially silver, to a great degree; for example, in Viking Scotland alone, we know of thirty-one Viking age hoards containing silver - and those are just the ones we know about - while Viking Ireland has nearly double that number!

This piece has been searched against the Art Loss Register database and has been cleared. The Art Loss Register maintains the world’s largest database of stolen art, collectibles, and antiques.

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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#162842

Expected scratches and softening of incised detail. Otherwise, intact and excellent with lovely patina.