Viking Era Silver Beautiful Odin’s Eye Ring – Hringr – Óðinn and Mímisbrunnr Symbolism – ca. 9th–11th Century AD (No reserve price)

A piece of the past, made to be worn

Beautiful Viking-Era Odin’s Eye Ring – Hringr – Óðinn and Mímisbrunnr Symbolism – ca. 9th–11th Century AD

Culture: Scandinavian / Norse
Period: Viking Age
Date: ca. 9th–11th century AD
Material: Metal alloy, probably silver

-Cultural and Iconographic Assessment Certificate: available upon request before shipment (PDF format)
-All shipments are sent fully insured
-During photography, a warm-toned lighting setup reminiscent of museum display illumination was used to emphasize the object's surface details and historic character in a natural manner.
-The suspension cords, connecting rings, and other display accessories shown in the photographs are used solely for presentation purposes and are not part of the object.

Dimensions
Height: 20.30 mm ±
Outer width: 20.09 mm ±
Inner width: 17.32 mm ±
Weight: 4.46 g ±

Ring Size
EU: 54½ ±
US: 7 ±
UK: N½ ±
FR: 54½ ±

Description

With its expanded bezel and engraved decoration extending onto the shoulders, this hringr — Old Norse for “ring” — bears an almond-shaped, eye-like composition. A double linear border surrounds the central field, creating a frame reminiscent of an eyelid, while curved and segmented shoulder motifs complete the design. Darkened recesses contrast distinctly with the pale metallic surface.

The eye motif offers a symbolic comparison with the pursuit of wisdom by Óðinn, a god of the Æsir in Norse mythology. His sacrifice of an eye at Mímisbrunnr, Mímir’s well, in exchange for wisdom expresses the relationship between sight, knowledge and sacrifice. This narrative provides a mythological context for the ring’s eye-like decoration.

The bezel’s flowing transition into the hoop, surviving engraved lines and grey-toned surface are distinctive features of the piece.

Information
The offered object was acquired in 2026 through an auction associated with A.N. Auction House in Germany and was transferred to us in 2026 by its previous owner, N.A., based in the Netherlands

The object has been documented using high-resolution equipment; no intervention has been made to its form or structural integrity, and only limited color-balance adjustment has been applied.

Upon request, museum-standard technical photographs may be provided during the auction; if requested prior to shipment, an expert report and a signed ownership document issued in the buyer’s name can be supplied in PDF format within 3–5 business days

Statements regarding dating, function, symbolic interpretation, and material identification represent high-probability academic assessments based on typological comparisons, parallels in museum collections, and expert opinion; definitive conclusions require advanced laboratory analysis and fall outside the scope of the platform’s sales process.

Prospective buyers are advised to evaluate the images in conjunction with the stated measurements, as high-resolution photography may influence perceived scale. Throughout the presentation and sales process, principles of scholarly consistency, transparency, and good faith are observed, and no object is knowingly offered as a copy or imitation.