Ca. 900-1100 AD A beautiful bronze torc with an incised design, and its decorative terminals. Torcs are found in many European cultures ca. the 8th century BC to the 3rd century AD. However, these elaborate items of jewellery made a reappearance during the Viking period ca. 900-1100 AD perhaps due to their twisting nature which recalls Loki's snake/dragon son Jormungand who lives in the ocean that surrounds Midgard. Torcs such as this one would also have served as important symbols of rank and wealth.Size: L:238mm / W:220mm ; 460g Provenance: Property of a London Gallery; formerly in a collection of Mr. W. Paddison, 1980s-2000s.