Viking Era Silver Snake Ring
17
days
22
hours
32
minutes
31
seconds
Starting bid
€ 1
Reserve price not met
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 380 - € 450
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Early Medieval Viking Age silver snake ring with a coiled serpent design, dating to the 9th–11th century AD, in good wearable condition; outside diameter about 26.3 mm and inside diameter about 20.7–17.2 mm.
AI-assisted summary
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.
Early Medieval Viking Age silver alloy ring formed as a coiled serpent. The hoop is fashioned from a rounded rod decorated with irregular incised and impressed lines, giving a textured, scale-like appearance. The terminals overlap slightly, one end expanding into a stylised serpent head.
Incised linear markings define the head, suggesting eyes and facial features in a simplified manner. The opposing terminal tapers and curves beneath the head, completing the coiled composition.
The overall design reflects the characteristic zoomorphic style of early medieval northern European metalwork.
-> Serpents held strong symbolic meaning in Viking Age culture and were often associated with protection, transformation, and cyclical renewal. Their ability to shed their skin linked them to rebirth and continuity.
Outside diameter: ± 26,3 mm
Inside diameter: ± 20,7 - 17,2 mm
Condition:
Good solid condition, wearable. Signs of wear consistent with age and use. The solid silver alloy shows minor surface irregularities and wear to the detailing.
Certificate of Authenticity: available upon request (PDF format) for items with a hammer price of €100 or more.
-> In Norse mythology, serpents such as Jörmungandr encircled the world, symbolising both cosmic order and latent destructive power. As jewellery motifs, serpent forms were likely intended to serve an apotropaic function, offering protection and embodying strength.
Catawiki disclaimer:
This object has been carefully examined for its material and surface characteristics.
Laboratory analysis (e.g. XRF) is not routinely undertaken in private collecting, and destructive testing is avoided as it causes permanent damage to archaeological material.
Before modern hallmarking, gold and silver alloys varied depending on local resources, recycling practices and economic conditions.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
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.
Early Medieval Viking Age silver alloy ring formed as a coiled serpent. The hoop is fashioned from a rounded rod decorated with irregular incised and impressed lines, giving a textured, scale-like appearance. The terminals overlap slightly, one end expanding into a stylised serpent head.
Incised linear markings define the head, suggesting eyes and facial features in a simplified manner. The opposing terminal tapers and curves beneath the head, completing the coiled composition.
The overall design reflects the characteristic zoomorphic style of early medieval northern European metalwork.
-> Serpents held strong symbolic meaning in Viking Age culture and were often associated with protection, transformation, and cyclical renewal. Their ability to shed their skin linked them to rebirth and continuity.
Outside diameter: ± 26,3 mm
Inside diameter: ± 20,7 - 17,2 mm
Condition:
Good solid condition, wearable. Signs of wear consistent with age and use. The solid silver alloy shows minor surface irregularities and wear to the detailing.
Certificate of Authenticity: available upon request (PDF format) for items with a hammer price of €100 or more.
-> In Norse mythology, serpents such as Jörmungandr encircled the world, symbolising both cosmic order and latent destructive power. As jewellery motifs, serpent forms were likely intended to serve an apotropaic function, offering protection and embodying strength.
Catawiki disclaimer:
This object has been carefully examined for its material and surface characteristics.
Laboratory analysis (e.g. XRF) is not routinely undertaken in private collecting, and destructive testing is avoided as it causes permanent damage to archaeological material.
Before modern hallmarking, gold and silver alloys varied depending on local resources, recycling practices and economic conditions.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Details
Culture
Viking Era
Century/timeframe
9th-11th century AD
Name of object
Snake Ring
Acquired from
Gallery / Antique dealer
Year acquired
2026
Material
Silver
Country acquired from
Netherlands
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Gallery / Antique dealer
Previous owner - year acquired
2026
Previous owner - country acquired from
Netherlands
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
