Viking Bead No. B3 / Hole 4 mm

Viking-era bead with granulation decoration.

Viking-era bead after a historical find from the 9th–10th centuries, which was crafted using an intricate granulation technique.

In Viking-era granulated beads, small spheres and fine wires were soldered onto the bead in intricate, delicate work.
Our replica, however, is cast entirely in one piece, whilst still beautifully capturing the delicate design.

Dimensions: 1.5 x 1.5 cm. Hole diameter 4 mm.

This Viking bead is available in high-quality bronze and in genuine silver-plated versions. 

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During the Viking Age, it was very common to decorate beads for necklaces with intricate filigree granulation decoration in the form of fine silver wires, strands of beads and spheres; the goldsmiths were masters at crafting small works of art using the simplest of means.
A repoussé or cast base form made from thin silver sheet was used as the foundation for the granulation decoration; the granulated decorative elements were then soldered onto this, with the solder leaving no traces visible to the naked eye, so that it appeared as though the delicate granulations were virtually floating above the surface.
Whilst granulation was initially common on disc-shaped gold pendants in the 8th century, it became increasingly prevalent on spherical gold beads and gold bracteates in the 9th century. By the 11th century, gold granulation had become increasingly widespread.