Viking Age Twisted Bronze Bracelet

Viking Age, c. 793–1066 AD, Scandinavia

A superb and intricately crafted Viking period bronze bracelet, composed of multiple tightly woven bronze strands terminating in flattened looped ends. The elegant twist and taper of the design evoke the sinuous form of a serpent, perhaps alluding to Jörmungandr, the “Midgard Serpent” of Norse mythology — the vast sea-dragon whose body encircles the world of men.

Twisted bronze bracelets were among the most distinctive adornments of the Viking Age, prized both for their craftsmanship and as tangible expressions of wealth and status. Such pieces circulated widely as personal ornaments and portable currency, frequently recovered from hoards and trade caches across Scandinavia and along the Varangian routes that linked Northern Europe to Byzantium and the East. This example bears a beautiful natural patina of rich green and blue-green hues, testifying to its great age and long burial.

Excellent condition. Intact. Surface wear and abrasions commensurate with age, with stable patina, and earthly encrustations. Probably wearable, but bronze does become brittle with age and not recommended. Size approx. 7,2cm x 5,2cm x 1,4cm.

Provenance: Dutch private collection.

For a similar examples see:

Armlet, The British Museum, Accession Number: 1921,1101.308 (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/H_1921-1101-308?selectedImageId=1613556813)