c. 1000-1100 AD. Viking age. A beautiful bronze ring with a D-shaped hoop and an octagonal 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; wearable.Size: D: 19.51mm / US: 9 5/8 / UK: T; 11.1g; Provenance: Property of a professional London art expert; obtained from an old British collection formed before 2000.