Old Norse Bracelet Artifacts: Sources & Archeology

Old Norse Bracelet Artifacts: Sources & Archeology

Old Norse Bracelet Artifacts: Viking Age Discoveries and Archaeological Insights

Bracelets were the most common Viking-age jewelry found in archaeological excavations across Scandinavia. These Old Norse bracelet artifacts provide a window into viking craftsmanship, wealth, trade, and societal structures. While most of you have seen the metal viking arm rings, other materials like glass, stone, bone, and even fabric were also used.

This article explores the different types of Viking-age bracelets, their archaeological significance, and notable discoveries that confirm their role in Norse culture.


Bracelets: The Most Common Viking Jewelry Find

Archaeological evidence suggests that bracelets were one of the most frequently worn jewelry items among the Vikings. A study by Daniel Gunnarsson (The Distribution of Bronze Artefacts of Viking Age Eastern Baltic Types Discovered on Gotland) showed that Viking arm rings and bracelets were among the most numerous jewelry items found in Norse burials and hoards and mainly made of bronze.

This pattern and % distribution generally is the same in Scandinavia, Britain, and Northern Europe, anywhere where Viking settlements have been studied.


1. Viking Arm Rings and Metal Bracelet Artifacts

The Most Known Old Norse Bracelet Artifacts

Among the most famous Old Norse bracelet artifacts, the traditional viking arm rings were crafted from silver, bronze, gold, and iron. These metal bracelets held multiple purposes:

  • Symbol of status and loyalty: Viking kings and chieftains gifted arm rings to warriors as a sign of allegiance.
  • Currency and wealth storage: Silver arm rings could be used in trade or melted down for currency.
  • Ritual and oath-taking objects: Vikings swore sacred oaths while gripping oath rings, reinforcing their role in Norse legal and spiritual practices.

One of the richest discoveries of Viking metal bracelets comes from The Cuerdale Hoard in England. 

We have a bracelet for sale on our shop that replicates one of the armrings forund at this hoard. See that for sale here.

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There is also another great hoard that is home to some of the most known arm rings that is shown in the Swedish History Museum in Stockholm. The Spillings Hoard from Gotland Sweden is the most rich in bronze and silver bracelet artifacts.

Perhaps the most famous arm ring found in all viking age archeology is this one found in Gotland depicting two dragon heads on either side.

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We also carry a replica of this arm ring for sale here.

There is another famous arm ring that was well ahead of its time found in Undrom, Ångermanland, Sweden dated to the Viking Age and also is kept at the Swedish History Museum. 

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This extremely intricate artifact for its time is in the shape of a serpent. We also carry a replica of this one for sale here.

Nordic Bronze Age Bracelet Artifacts

There are many other hoards that you can find all over the north of Europe with metl arm rings. However, our personal favorite collection is at the National Museum of Denmark in Copenhagen.

Not only are there traditional viking age arm rings here, but there are hundreds of bracelets going back to the bronze age more than 3000 years ago.

It is by far our favorite collection and time period and we have replicas of these 3000 year old bracelets for sale here.

For more on Viking oath rings, read our detailed article here:
Norse Oath Rings: Viking History & Archaeology


2. Hacksilver Arm Rings: The Dual Role of Viking Wealth

One of the most intriguing discoveries among archaeological Viking bracelets is the presence of hacksilver arm rings. These broken-up silver bracelets functioned as both jewelry and trade currency. These were mainly found in England naturally. If a viking was away from his home, he needed a quick way to pay for something. He could just break off a piece of his silver arm ring for a cheap item on the go!

Key Characteristics of Hacksilver Arm Rings:

  • Made of silver, often decorated but designed for practical use.
  • Easily cut into smaller pieces to facilitate trade and barter.
  • Found in treasure hoards across Viking settlements.

The largest collection of Viking hacksilver arm rings is held at the British Museum, where hoards from England and Scandinavia showcase how the Vikings used their jewelry in everyday transactions.

 

Visit the British Museum’s Viking Hacksilver Collection


3. Viking Leather Bracelets: A Myth or Reality?

Many modern sellers offer "Viking leather bracelets," but is there any archaeological evidence for these?

🛑 No intact Viking leather bracelets have been found.
🛑 No written sources confirm their existence.

However, leather was widely used in viking-age crafts, including shoes, belts, and pouches. While it is possible that leather wristbands existed, no physical artifacts have survived.

Instead, a historical alternative would be linen sash wristbands with Norse knotwork, inspired by armstulpen (Germanic wristbands) also found in Scandinavian and Anglo-Saxon sites.


4. Viking Beaded Bracelets: A Woman’s Ornament

Amber, Glass, and Ceramic Beads in Viking Jewelry

Excavations have uncovered Viking beaded bracelets, particularly in women’s burials. Beads were crafted from:

  • Amber – Highly prized Baltic material.
  • Glass – Traded across Viking markets.
  • Ceramic and Rock Crystal – Used for aesthetic and spiritual purposes.

There is a beautiful fragment of a jet bracelt along with other beaded parts that was found at Kaupang, Norway which was a major trading center of the early viking age.

The most fascinating collection of beads found all over Scandinavia is housed at the National Museum of Denmark and contains almost all amber material from the viking age dating back to the bronze age. There are mostly necklaces but they would have been worn as bracelets too.

Ibn Fadlan’s accounts confirm that Viking women in Eastern Europe valued beaded jewelry above all else!

"The most desirable ornaments they [the Rus] have are green ceramic beads they keep in their boats. They will pay dearly for them, one dirham for a single bead. They thread them into necklaces for their wives."
Ibn Fadlan, 10th Century


 

5. Bone and Antler Bracelets: Lost Viking Craft?

Unlike metal, glass and stone, bone and antler were also used in Viking-age jewelry. However, no direct examples of Viking bone bracelets have been found. Ther have only been things such as necklaces, medallions or amulets found of this material.

💡 What suggests Vikings may have worn bone bracelets?

  • Vikings carved bone and antler for pendants, combs and other practical items..
  • The Ribe Skull Fragment showcases Viking mastery of bone carving.
  • Amulets of bone and antler were believed to have magical properties.

It is plausible that bone or antler bracelets existed, though no confirmed finds have surfaced.

The Ribe Skull Fragment


Final Thoughts: What Do Old Norse Bracelet Artifacts Reveal?

From gold arm rings to rock crystal beads, archaeological Viking bracelets tell a story of status, trade, and craftsmanship. These old Norse bracelet artifacts confirm that jewelry was not just ornamental, but an integral part of Viking society.


Where to See Authentic Viking Bracelets

🔗 British Museum (UK): The Cuerdale Hoard and Viking hacksilver.
🔗 National Museum of Denmark: Viking silver arm rings and artifacts.
🔗 Swedish History Museum: The treasures of Birka.
🔗 Hedeby Viking Museum (Germany): Artifacts from one of the largest Viking trading hubs.
🔗 Gotlands Museum (Sweden): Extensive collections of Viking jewelry.


 

Dont forget to check out our collection of al bracelets here!

 

And for the full history of viking jewelry, our blog post here.

Full history of viking bracelets here.

And for the full history on why they were called "Oath Rings" here.

 

 

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