Northern Europe, Viking / Norse culture, ca. 9th to 11th century CE. Two beautiful examples of bronze rings, one with an inset ovoid orange carnelian, the other with a glass inlay with a fantastically abstract zoomorphic motif incised on its face. Imagine these as part of a full complement of bronze jewelry worn by both men and women in the Viking period. Both are still very wearable today! Size of largest inlay (glass): 0.6" W x 0.75" H (1.5 cm x 1.9 cm). Larger ring is a US 10; smaller is a US 6.

In legends, Viking rings could be endowed with magical power, as in the tale of Andvari's ring from the V?lsunga Saga. Andvari, a dwarf who lived under a waterfall, forged a magical ring that allowed him to make gold. The stealing of this ring by Loki and its subsequent curse, passed on through multiple gods, humans, and others across the world of Norse mythology, was the inspiration for Wagner's "Der Ring des Nibelungen" and Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings."

Provenance: private Orange County, California, USA collection

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#122974

Smooth green patina on bronze of both, with very slight bending to form. Small chip from glass face on larger ring; scratches on raised surface of orange carnelian.