ca. 700–1000 AD. Viking Age. Bronze coiled ring with flattened terminals. The coiled shape of the ring is evocative of a snake, which is a prominent figure in Norse Mythology: Jörmungandr, ‘the World Serpent’, was tossed into the great ocean by the god Odin and he grew so large that he could encircle the world. It is told that when Jörmungandr releases its tail, Ragnarök will begin. Ragnarök is the Viking apocalypse involving numerous natural disasters at the end of which the world will resurface anew and will be repopulated by two human survivors, Líf and Lífþrasir – the Adam and Eve of Norse mythology. This ring was made to be worn in a man's hair or beard; good condition; attractive patina.Provenance: Private London collection, formed in the 1990s on the UK and European art market.Size: D: mm / US: 40 / UK: 27; 31.7g