VIKING SERPENT BRACELET, 8TH-10TH CENTURY AD

Gilt bronze, C form with well sculpted snake or sea serpent head with roped transverse band to the neck. Tapered tail in stylized coil form. Over 2 5/8” inner dimension (2.62”) for an average arm. Expected degradation and surface texture from burial. Professionally refurbished with the 24karat gold overlay restored, for contemporary wear. Jewelry gift boxed with certificate of authenticity. Jormungandr is a sea serpent from Norse mythology.  The child of Angrboda and Loki, it grew so large as to encircle (as does a bracelet) the earth and bite his own tail.   An adversary of Thor, it was thought that when he releases his tail, the final world ending battle, Ragnarok, will take place. That event is analogous to Armageddon in the New Testament.