Bracelets (fragments)

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These fragments of silver bracelets are part of the large Viking Age silver hoard found at Burray in Orkney, deposited around 997 and 1010. They are from a distinctive Viking Age bracelet type common in Scotland, called 'ring-money'.

Like all but one of the 26 complete and 105 pieces of 'ring-money' found in the hoard, these examples are plain. Some have nicks - small cuts made to check the silver purity when the silver was weighed in economic exchanges.

As silver circulated in the Viking world, it gradually became more nicked, as people checked for purity, and cut up, as more and more 'small change' was needed. The Burray hoard is somewhat unusual in having small pieces but relatively little nicking.

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• Online ID: 000-190-004-102-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.IL 271
• Date: 997 - 1010
  Deposited around 997 and 1010
  
• Material: Armlet / fragment
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Armlet / fragment
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Orkney, Burray
  
• Event:
• Description: Fragments of armlets from the Burray hoard, Orkney, 997 - 1010
  
• References:
  • Graham-Campbell, James. The Viking-age gold and silver of Scotland (AD 850-1100), 1995, pp. 51-2, 57-9, 135-6. 
  • Ritchie, Anna. Viking Scotland London: B.T. Batsford Ltd/Historic Scotland, 1993, pp. 74-5.
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