VIKING WOMAN WARRIOR’S BRACELET PENDANT NECKLACE

10th-11th century AD. For Vikings, breaking metal had supernatural significance. Breaking ringjarn (iron rings) as shown on the Larbro Stone, was thought to destroy the spirits of enemies. Viking weapons and accouterments were broken for burial with their owners. This is the broken end of a Viking woman warrior's bronze bracelet. It is about 3/8” x 5/8” (0.42” X 0.69”) relief decorated in transverse patterning. The surface is heavily textured from burial.  It was handcrafted by a Viking artisan 1000 years ago! For a very similar bracelet fragment dated to 879-880AD , see https://demo-ashmolean.web.ox.ac.uk/watlington-hoard  The Watlington Viking Hoard, Ashmolian Museum, Oxford was discovered in 2015. Watlington is in south Oxfordshire, about midway between Oxford and Heathrow Airport. It has been professionally refurbished with the 24karat gold overlay restored and mounted to an 18” gilt Sterling silver neck chain for modern wear. It comes with certification of authenticity, and gift boxed.