Germanic Ring Himlingoje, bronze

Product description

This ring was found in a Germanic woman’s grave dating to the 3rd century AD in Himlingøje, Denmark. The woman was between 40 and 50 years old at the time of her death and belonged to the local Germanic aristocracy. Although Denmark was never part of the Roman Empire, it did lie within its sphere of influence.

Northern Germanic tribes often sent their warriors to fight as auxilia and foederati in the Roman armies. There was active trade between the two regions. This resulted in a North Germanic culture that, alongside its traditional Germanic objects, had a strong appreciation for Roman luxury goods. In addition to two rings, this woman also wore two bracelets with stylized snake heads. She also wore a fibula engraved with the runic inscription "widuhudaR." A coin had been placed in her mouth — a Roman custom to pay the ferryman for the journey to the afterlife.

The snake was a common motif in Roman art and jewelry, believed to protect the prosperity of the household.
In ancient Greek culture and the Nordic Bronze Age, the snake symbolized healing. The snake worship seen in Roman culture may have originated in Macedonia, where it was believed to be a symbol of fertility. For this reason, women gladly wore jewelry in the form of a snake.

The original ring is now part of the collection of the National Museum in Copenhagen. This replica is available in sizes S, M, and L.

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