700-1100 AD, Viking Age. A heavy bronze bracelet with punched dot and box decoration, and incised lines on the terminals thought to be a stylised depictions of dragons, which frequently appear on Viking-age ornaments. In Viking society, arm rings and bracelets were not just decorative, but also served to mark bonds of loyalty between a lord and his followers in a culture where honour was a matter of life and death. Such items were also. given to young men to mark their coming of age and bracelets of precious metals were also used as currency in a time before the widespread availability of coinage. Dragons were important figures in Norse mythology, and were known for their powerful, destructive nature, perhaps reflecting a claim to power by the individual who once owned this bracelet. Good condition, beautiful patina; Size: L:52mm / W:66mm ; 35g; Provenance: Private London collection, formed in the 1980-90s on the UK and European art market.