Add to albumThese six silver bracelets are part of the large Viking Age silver hoard found at Burray in Orkney, deposited around 997 and 1010. They are examples of 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. Analyses have shown that the silver was quite base.
'Ring-money' highlights the overlap between ornament and bullion. They could be worn to display wealth, but when needed could be used as payment, cut up if necessary, and weighed on a balance. Some were manufactured to an approximate weight standard.
Record details
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- Online ID: 000-190-002-296-C
- Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
- Project:
National Museums Scotland
Project description View all records in project
- Ref: National Museums Scotland X.IL 247
- Date: 997 - 1010 AD
997 - 1010 AD
997 - 1010 AD
997 - 1010 AD
997 - 1010 AD
997 - 1010 AD
Deposited around 997 and 1010
- Material: Silver; small straight bar
Silver; small straight bar
Silver; small straight bar
Silver; small straight bar
Silver; small straight bar
Silver; small straight bar
Ring, arm
Ring, arm
Ring, arm
Ring, arm
Ring, arm
Ring, arm
- Dimensions:
- What: Ring, arm
Ring, arm
Ring, arm
Ring, arm
Ring, arm
Ring, arm
- Subject:
- Who:
- Where: Scotland, Orkney, Burray
Scotland, Orkney, Burray
Scotland, Orkney, Burray
Scotland, Orkney, Burray
Scotland, Orkney, Burray
Scotland, Orkney, Burray
- Event:
- Description: Silver arm ring from the Burray hoard, 997 - 1010 AD
Silver arm ring from the Burray hoard, 997 - 1010 AD
Silver arm ring from the Burray hoard, 997 - 1010 AD
Silver arm ring from the Burray hoard, 997 - 1010 AD
Silver arm ring from the Burray hoard, 997 - 1010 AD
Silver arm ring 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, 57-9, 76, 131-2.
- Ritchie, Anna. Viking Scotland London: B.T. Batsford Ltd/Historic Scotland, 1993, pp. 74-5.
- Translations:
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