VIKING GILT BRONZE BEAD, 866-1067 AD

Over 3/8” (0.40”) diameter. Cast, addorsed conical form, originally gilt with the gold now restored. Beads were valued more than gold to Vikings and then produced them as well as pillaged and ransomed for them. In the 10th century, they went to Indonesia specifically to procure a ransom of their legendary miniature beads. These large beads were made by Vikings and are suitable for modern bead creations.