Viking Era Silver Torque neck or arm ring with Spirals






Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 127342 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
Viking Era silver torque neck ring with spirals, made from a single twisted rod and ending in two spirals, about 94.5 mm inside diameter, likely worn as a wrist/arm bracelet; good condition, 10th–11th century AD, acquired in 2024 from a Dutch dealer, ships within the European Union only.
Description from the seller
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
Viking period, silver torque made from a single rod of silver which has been expertly twisted, and ending in two spirals.
The size indicates it was probably worn as bracelet on the wrist or arm. The spirals on this bracelet were a popular motif, symbolic of life cycles and rebirth.
Inside diameter: ± 94,5 mm (widest point)
Condition: good and solid condition, signs of wear consistent with age and use. See images.
Certificate of Authenticity: available upon request (pdf-format).
The spiral is one of the oldest symbols of human spirituality. Spiral motifs appear in ancient carvings and painted rock art dating back thousands of years The infinite, twisting spiral was a favourite of the ancient Greeks and Celts and has continued to influence artists, thinkers and designers for millennia.
It is thought to represent growth, expansion, cosmic energy and a symbol of the sun, and it has been suggested to be linked to birth or rebirth. Spirals have been found in burial sites, in vases, in jewellery, clothing, weapons and buildings.
Throughout history, the spiral has been a highly valued design in Roman, Anglo-Saxon, and Viking art, and continues to be appreciated to this day.
MATERIAL
This object has been carefully examined with regard to its material composition and surface characteristics.
Specialised laboratory analysis such as metallurgical testing (e.g. XRF) is not routinely undertaken in private collecting and is more commonly associated with academic or institutional research.
Destructive testing methods (such as acid testing) permanently damage the object’s surface and are not appropriate for archaeological material.
Historically, modern hallmarking systems did not exist. The alloy composition of gold and silver could vary depending on local resources, trade networks, recycling practices and prevailing economic conditions.
Seller's Story
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
Viking period, silver torque made from a single rod of silver which has been expertly twisted, and ending in two spirals.
The size indicates it was probably worn as bracelet on the wrist or arm. The spirals on this bracelet were a popular motif, symbolic of life cycles and rebirth.
Inside diameter: ± 94,5 mm (widest point)
Condition: good and solid condition, signs of wear consistent with age and use. See images.
Certificate of Authenticity: available upon request (pdf-format).
The spiral is one of the oldest symbols of human spirituality. Spiral motifs appear in ancient carvings and painted rock art dating back thousands of years The infinite, twisting spiral was a favourite of the ancient Greeks and Celts and has continued to influence artists, thinkers and designers for millennia.
It is thought to represent growth, expansion, cosmic energy and a symbol of the sun, and it has been suggested to be linked to birth or rebirth. Spirals have been found in burial sites, in vases, in jewellery, clothing, weapons and buildings.
Throughout history, the spiral has been a highly valued design in Roman, Anglo-Saxon, and Viking art, and continues to be appreciated to this day.
MATERIAL
This object has been carefully examined with regard to its material composition and surface characteristics.
Specialised laboratory analysis such as metallurgical testing (e.g. XRF) is not routinely undertaken in private collecting and is more commonly associated with academic or institutional research.
Destructive testing methods (such as acid testing) permanently damage the object’s surface and are not appropriate for archaeological material.
Historically, modern hallmarking systems did not exist. The alloy composition of gold and silver could vary depending on local resources, trade networks, recycling practices and prevailing economic conditions.
Seller's Story
Details
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
