Northern Europe, Viking/Norse period, ca. 9th to 11th century CE. A cast bronze torc (also torq, torque) with an incised line decoration around most of its outward-facing side, aside from the smooth terminals (only one remains). Also a cast bronze bell with an iron clapper and loop for suspension. 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 for this torc and bell were likely melted down from other bronze objects, perhaps some acquired by looting a monastery or trading in the Mediterranean. Bronze items also served as a form of easily transported coinage. Size of torc: 7.25" W (18.4 cm); size of bell: 1.4" L x 1.6" W x 2.6" H (3.6 cm x 4.1 cm x 6.6 cm)

Provenance: private R.D. collection, Long Beach, California, USA collection, acquired over twenty five years from various major galleries

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#125830

Torc: small losses along edge, with one terminal lost. Repaired in two places. Bell: missing a piece from the lower part of the body. Smooth green patina on bronze of both, and iron patina on the iron components of the bell.