Viking Age Decorated Bronze Bracelet

Displaying openwork interlaced zoomorphs to both faces. 34.9 grams, 80 mm



From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.

The decoration of one side shows a composition of interwoven dragons, with their heads in a side view (Jellinge Style). The ornamentation belongs to a group of the first two styles in P. Paulsen's classification, i.e. the 'German four legged beast'.

Comprising: two examples of a long and narrow tongue-shaped type (Paulsen's Gruppe V 2A, Untergruppe C) with scooped upper edge and palmette motif to the centre, a vertical band of reserved stylised ring-chain decoration on a pounced field, long lateral straps and a knop finial (one with an upper arm absent); a subtriangular type (Paulsen's Gruppe I 2, Untergruppe C) with central openwork panel displaying a bird in flight with the fan-shaped tail marked with radiating lines, trilinear bands to the outer sides, upper edges angled and with a lozengiform 'knot' at the apex; a long and rounded tongue-shaped type (Paulsen's Gruppe I 1) with an openwork centre and Ringerike Style bird formed with looped bands, pellets to the pinions, a triangular in plan head joined to the inner faces of the ropework border forming the upper edge of the chape, with a wolf's head at the apex and stepped knop finial (one face damaged); a single plate from a chape of the same type (Gruppe I 1) with a rounded lower edge and the apex absent. 158 grams total, 59-75 mm



From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.

The slender, tongue-shaped elongated form (Gruppe V2A, Untergruppe C) is regarded by Paulsen (p.118) as Latvian in origin ("Lettland") and 11th century in date. The broader openwork form (Gruppe I 2, Untergruppe C) is associated with the Baltic island of Gotland, which was a major entrepot in the trade network connecting Sweden with the eastern Baltic and the riverine passage south to the Mediterranean; a 10th century date is preferred for this type. The long openwork form (Gruppe I 1) is Scandinavian in origin and appears first in the 10th century; Paulsen's figure 6 from Oland, Sweden, is a close match to the complete example included here.

With beast facing right, head turned back left; tail curled above to meet the head; within an annulet border with suspension loop above. 5.59 grams, 28 mm high



Private collection formed in Europe in the 1980s. Westminster collection, central London, UK.