MEDIEVAL SILVER RING WITH GEM

Viking Era, ca. 900-1100 AD
A silver ring boasting a round hoop, skillfully fashioned with a rounded exterior and flat interior. The hoop effortlessly supports a dazzling rhomboid bezel setting, carefully crafted with four secure corner knobs to safeguard a central cabochon. Rings have held great significance in Viking culture. Worn by both men and women, these precious adornments were much more than mere decorative pieces. In fact, they often symbolized a person's wealth, status, and even allegiance to a particular clan or tribe. But beyond their aesthetic beauty, Viking rings served a practical purpose as well. They were often used as a means of currency, serving as a portable and easily exchangeable form of wealth. Additionally, they were sometimes used as an offering in religious rituals, or even as a symbol of a person's marital status.
Size: D: 15.49mm / US: 4 3/4 / UK: J; 6.32g
Provenance: Private London collection, UK art market before 2000.
Estimate: GBP 75 - 150