Bronze Ring Pin - Dot Pattern

The style of this ring pin is thought to have orginated in Ireland. The presence of them in Viking York emphasises the links between the two kingdoms across the Irish Sea. This design has four dots on each face and a diamond section ring. Exactly the same design has been found from Viking age Dublin.

Ring Pins of this type were used as cloak fastenings in 10th Century in Britain. It would have passed through the layers of the cloak and fastened with a chord of wool or silk, tied to the ring and looped around the lower part of the pin.