**Originally Listed At $300**

Northern Europe, Viking / Norse culture, ca. 9th to 11th century CE. A pair of fine bronze rings with inlaid clear glass faces. The larger of the two has a palmate motif in relief on its glass face; the other has an abstract incised pattern and light purple iridescence. Both are US size 7.5 to 7.75. Size of largest face: 0.5" W x 0.75" H (1.3 cm x 1.9 cm)

Bronze rings were just one part of the fine adornment that Vikings, both men and women, would have worn. In legends, Viking rings could be endowed with magical power, as in the tale of Andvari's ring from the Völsunga 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

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#122973

Smooth green patina on both; glass is chipped in the corner of the smaller one.