Ca. 10th-11th Century AD
This exquisite silver necklace is composed of an intricate series of openwork links. Attached to this chain are two coiled, filigree collars and a central hoop with intertwined bezel and coiled sleeves.
 
This necklace is a highly unusual example of Viking adornment. While pendants and neck-rings are relatively common in the evidential corpus, necklace cords are very rare and found almost exclusively in hoard contexts. Metal cords such as this are rarer still, as it is believed that many common cords were made of perishable material.
 
There is minimal evidence found in male Viking burials to suggest that Viking men were particularly fond of wearing necklaces. Cords of this nature have, however, been found accompanying female skeletons. In light of this, this item was likely to have been made for a woman, for personal adornment but also to demonstrate the wealth of her family. For a similar example, see: The British Museum, Museum number: 1841,0711.724
 
Provenance: From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.
 
For additional information see: Gräslund, A.S., 1992. “Thor’s hammers, pendant crosses and other amulets” in Roesdahl E & Wilson D.M (eds). From Viking to Crusader: The Scandinavians and Europe 800-1200.New York, 190-191.
 
Jesch, J., 2003. Women in the Viking age. Suffolk, Boydell Press.