Golden Arm Ring
This is a golden arm ring that is currently located in Walters Art Museum. An arm ring is basically a bracelet worn by the Norsemen during the Viking Age around the arm. This is a very important piece mainly because it helps us better understand both the artistic style and the way of economic transactions of the era it was used in. It was excavated by Joseph Brummer and acquired by Henry Walters in 1927, and is thought to have been made and used between 9th and 11th centuries1. It was found in what is today Serbia and Montenegro. The arm ring is made of gold, and thus, is of high economic value. It is decorated with stylized animal-head terminals, and those terminals resemble the terminals of jewelleries made by Germanic peoples in the South.
Such arm rings had a big role in the society in terms of economic transactions. Arm rings were not used only as ornaments, but they also served as some sort of savings accounts. Since people in those times did not have common currencies as we do today, they used basic measures of gold and silver as means of economic transaction. Arm rings, for their ease of carrying, served as a type of currency commonly used during the Vikings Age2. Hacksilvers, which are pieces of cut silver items used as currency by their weight, are also a good example of different items used as currencies for their practicalities.
Such arm rings had a big role in the society in terms of economic transactions. Arm rings were not used only as ornaments, but they also served as some sort of savings accounts. Since people in those times did not have common currencies as we do today, they used basic measures of gold and silver as means of economic transaction. Arm rings, for their ease of carrying, served as a type of currency commonly used during the Vikings Age2. Hacksilvers, which are pieces of cut silver items used as currency by their weight, are also a good example of different items used as currencies for their practicalities.
An important piece of evidence that suggests that arm rings were used as means of trade is the fact this arm ring, along with many others, was discovered in Serbia and Montenegro although we know for a fact that they were not produced around Serbia and Montenegro. This shows us that they traveled a long distance, just like the coins used for economic transactions during the period.
This golden arm ring, like many other historical objects, tells us a lot more about its period when it is analyzed within the context of what we already know about similar objects and where the object was discovered as we saw earlier in the discussion. As a final word, this golden arm ring was not only a simple but expensive bracelet, but it also served as a valuable device in dealing with economic activities.
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