9th-10th century AD. A silver neck-ring with body formed of braided silver rods and applied ropework wires between, hook-and-eye closure with notched edges, pointillé decoration to each comprising the runes for 'g' (gibu?) and 'z' (algiz?"). Cf. Sedov, B.B., Finno-Ugri i Balti v Epokhi Srednevekovija, Moscow, 1987, pl.III, item 13. 170 grams, 18cm (7"). Property of a professional collector; acquired before 1990; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no.10218-166952. The forms of the runes applied to this item would have been extremely archaic at the time the ring was made, the saltire (gibu) was already obsolescent in the 8th century AD due to linguistic and other changes. It is possible that they were retained in use as traditional symbols after they had been deleted from the script currently in use, the Younger Futhark. The meanings of the characters were originally 'gift' and 'protection, defence'.