1000 YEAR OLD FACETED VIKING GOLD BEAD ANCIENT ANTIQUE

Historically, beads were always very valuable and desirable because of the amount of labor needed to make one and the fact that they were easy to transport. At many points in history, they were more valuable than gold. In that light it is easier to understand how they were used as money and often, tribute after a successful invasion, was demanded in beads. The Vikings were the masters of raiding for goods, ransom and tribute and no one loved beads more than Vikings. In 866, they invaded England, ultimately capturing about half the island and occupied it for over 200 years. Beads were an important part of their culture and they both manufactured and imported them. In the 1980’s, several groups of Viking beads which were found along with other artifacts, turned up at the London auctions. Offered here is one of those Viking beads. It is a rare gold bead, hand hammered over a square section mandrel, which leaves a square hole. It is hand formed with a faceted surface so that no gold is lost filing or sanding to shape. It is 3.5 mm, over 1/8” long. GF1

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