Ancient Viking-Era Child-Size Torque / Neck Ring – Lake Ladoga Region

Offered here is an ancient open-ended torque or neck ring attributed to the Viking period, approximately 8th–11th century A.D.

The piece appears to be made primarily from a copper-based alloy, likely bronze, and displays extensive age-related green patination and surface encrustation. There are also areas of gray/silvery-colored surface material that may represent surviving traces of ancient silvering or another surface treatment. The metal composition has not been scientifically tested, so no representation is made as to the silver content. Please examine the detailed photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the description.

The relatively small diameter suggests that this may have been a child-size torque or neck ring, although its precise original use cannot be established with certainty.

Provenance: This piece was represented as having been found by metal detecting in the Lake Ladoga region of Russia. I acquired it from a collector living in Germany, who stated that he purchased it from a Russian seller more than 20 years ago.

The artifact is guaranteed by me to be an authentic ancient artifact, attributed to the Viking period of approximately the 8th–11th centuries A.D., or the buyer may return it in accordance with the terms of the listing.

The artifact is offered exactly as photographed. The patina and deposits have been left intact, and I recommend that they not be cleaned or polished.