c. 1000-1100 AD. Viking age. A beautiful silver ring with a D-shaped hoop and an elliptical bezel bearing incised decoration in the form of a hunter and a dragon, probably Sigurd and Fáfnir. In Norse mythology, Fáfnir (Old Norse and Icelandic) or Frænir is a son of the dwarf king Hreidmar and brother of Regin , Ótr, Lyngheiðr and Lofnheiðr. After being affected by the curse of Andvari’s ring and gold, Fafnir became a dragon and was slain by the brave hero Sigurd. The wearable reminder of this myth would have inspired bravery in Viking warriors. Good condition; Size: D: 17.75mm / US: 7 1/2 / UK: P; 3.3g;Provenance: Property of a North London professional; previously acquire on the UK/European art market in the 1980s.