Viking Era Bronze Massive Viking Bronze Brecelet

MASSIVE BRONZE ARM RING – VIKING AGE (8TH–11TH C.)

1. Typological classification

Object type:

Open arm ring (penannular).

Construction:

Massive, heavy ring with a characteristic lenticular profile. The cross-section features a geometric tapering that runs from the top and bottom edges and converges at the convex center of the arm ring. The ring maintains a constant width along the entire circumference and ends with a regular gap.

Comparative analysis:

The formal characteristics of the object show full consistency with archaeological materials known from this period and meet the typological criteria of other early medieval finds.

Attribution:

Due to its dimensions, weight, and raw form, the artifact is identified as an element of prestigious, cultural ceremonial equipment of a high-ranking male (warrior / dignitary).

Cultural function:

The object served a distinctive function, manifesting the social and wealth status of its owner. Simultaneously, it constituted a substitute for currency (so-called bullion money), used in commercial transactions of the era.

2. Chronology and origin

Cultural affiliation: Scandinavian culture (period of Nordic influences / Viking Age).
Dating: 8th – 11th century AD.
Cultural area: Northern Europe / Baltic Sea basin.

3. Formal features

Material: Copper alloy (bronze).
Aesthetic values: The main value of this piece lies in the specific form typical of the Viking Age – pure geometry, monumental mass, and the aforementioned convex profile converging towards the center.

4. State of preservation and authenticity criteria
Patination (surface structure)

The surface of the object is covered with a thick, multi-layered malachite patina (basic copper carbonate) of an intense green color, co-occurring with copper oxides of a brownish-red color.

Microstructure features (visible in close-up):

The coating is not uniform but possesses a natural, rough, and grainy structure. Small mineral crystallizations and natural, deep layers forming alternately are visible (shades of green blend with the rusty and brown substrate). This process is the result of hundreds of years of physicochemical reactions in the soil environment.

State of preservation:

Good / excellent. The metal core is fully stable, hard, and compact. The object has preserved its structural integrity. Natural, small soil micro-pitting and superficial corrosion traces do not weaken the structure, providing direct proof of the artifact's age and full authenticity.

5. Technical specification

Weight: 223 g
Inner circumference: 18 cm
Outer circumference: 24 cm
Inner diameter: 57 mm
Outer diameter: 76 mm

6.Documentation.

Certificate:
A certificate of authenticity is attached to the object, containing detailed information that describes the item typologically by myself and previously by experts from Belgium, as well as confirming its origin.

Provenance:
British art gallery 1970s.
British colection 1970s./2000s.
European collection 2000s
Acquired from Karabela Arms (Karabela Ltd), an antique dealer based in London 59 Devons Road