Neck ring of silver

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This silver neck ring is part of the large Viking Age silver hoard found at Burray in Orkney deposited between around 997 and 1010. It could have been worn or used as silver bullion in economic exchanges.

The complete and well-preserved neck ring was made from three twisted silver rods, with the terminals closing in simple hooks. The technique of twisting silver rods into neck rings and armrings was popular amongst the Scandinavians.

In the Viking world, silver and gold were used as a medium of exchange, weighed on balances. Silver neck and armrings almost always occur in Viking hoards, not graves, suggesting their economic potential was as important as their ornamental use.

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• Online ID: 000-100-102-639-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.IL 267
• Date: 997 - 1010 AD
  Deposited around 997 and 1010
  
• Material: Silver; twisted strands with hooked ends
  Ring, neck
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Ring, neck
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Orkney, Burray
  
• Event:
• Description: Neck ring of twisted silver strands from the Burray hoard, 997 - 1010 AD
  
• References:
  • Graham-Campbell, James. The Viking-age gold and silver of Scotland (AD 850-1100), 1995, pp. 51-2, 131-41. 
  • Ritchie, Anna. Viking Scotland London: B.T. Batsford Ltd/Historic Scotland, 1993, pp. 74-5.
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