INTRIGUING UNFINISHED VIKING WEDDING RING 850-1050AD

Bronze, about 7/8” (0.83”) diameter with rounded face. Cast with a central core to distribute the metal and heat and simplify mold making. The core was then laboriously removed by hand and the inside of the ring finished. This example has had the core cut out with a tool leaving a jagged tool finish awaiting the next steps which would remove the core remnants and polish the inside. As considerable work has been expended to bring it to this point, the reason for abandoning the process is elusive. Most likely, it was lost in the mud while being finished and laid there for a thousand years until recently being discovered. Condition as found. A curious insight to the process of making jewelry by Vikings and their metal work in general.