700-1100 AD, Viking Age. A bronze bracelet with rounded terminals and incised decorative motifs including a central cross motif(?) and ribbing. In Viking society, arm rings and bracelets were not just decorative, but also served to mark bonds of loyalty between a lord and his followers in a culture where honour was a matter of life and death. Such items were also given to young men to mark their coming of age and bracelets of precious metals were also used as currency in a time before the widespread availability of coinage. Good condition; beautiful patina; Size: L:45mm / W:60mm ; 15g; Provenance: From the private collection of a South London art professional; previously in a collection formed on the UK/European art market in the 1970s;