10th-11th century AD. Vikings were highly skilled metallurgists, and as a result, breaking metal had supernatural significance for them. Breaking ringjarn (iron rings) as shown on the Larbro Stone, was thought to destroy the spirits of enemies. Similarly, Viking weapons and accouterments were broken for burial with their owners. This is the broken end of a fine Viking woman warrior's bronze bracelet. It is about ¾” x ½” with crisp right relief hand engraved decoration of a bordered rectangle diagonally bisected. The halves with addorsed tripartite forms on hatched ground. Perhaps references to a distant land mass. It is a woman’s bracelet, broken in the funerary process. It is well documented that women fought alongside men and women’s burials containing swords, other weapons, and armor are documented. The surface is textured from burial. It was handcrafted by a Viking artisan 1000 years ago, worn by a Viking woman warrior, and broken as part of her funerary ritual! It has been professionally refurbished with the 24karat gold surface restored and mounted to a gilt Sterling silver 18” neck chain for modern wear. It comes with a certification of authenticity, and a jewelry gift box. As good as they come.
