Ring-headed pin

Silver and gilded bronze ring-headed pin with unique shape. The ring itself is silver and cross-striated with two large filigree silver beads. The long pin is of silver-plated bronze, on a large ball with spikes, which is attached to the ring with a gilded animal head. The ball is silver with niello and filigree decoration in a triquetra pattern within gilded fields. The spikes are also gilded and silver-plated. The ring-headed pin is an example of how objects and jewellery were sometimes changed by Scandinavian craftspeople. The ball was originally part of an Irish ring-headed pin or 'thistle brooch'. The silver filigree beads on the ring, and the ring itself are very likely of eastern or east European origin. Grave find, Birka, Bj 832, Adelsö Parish, Uppland.

Image rights: Myrin, Ola/SHM (Creative Commons Erkännande 4.0 Internationell Publik Licens)
Object number: 528086_HST


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