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This bronze pin was found on the Brough of Birsay in Orkney. It was imported from Ireland sometime between 875 and 1100.

The ringed pin has a moveable ring at one end to which some thread would have been attached. The other end of the thread would have been looped over the tip of the pin to stop it from slipping out of the garment. The point has been flattened.

Ringed pins are a type of dress pin, often with decoration on the heads. They are an Irish type of pin which was adopted by Vikings, especially those living in western Europe. Examples occur in bronze and silver.

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• Online ID: 000-100-040-626-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.HB 422
• Date: Between 875 and 1100
  
• Material: Bronze; free circular head; point of shank flattened
  
• Dimensions: 77 mm L
  
• What:
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Orkney, Brough of Birsay
  
• Event:
• Description: Irish ring-headed bronze pin from Birsay
  
• References:
  • Curle, C.L. Pictish and Norse finds from the Brough of Birsay, 1973-74. Edinburgh: Society of Antiquaries of Scotland Monograph Series 1, 1982, pp 62-3. 
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