orþanc-bend, m.n: a skilfully contrived band, a cunning bond. (“or-thank-bend”)
Anglo-Saxon gold finger ring (800-900), from the Victoria and Albert Museum: “In contrast to the garnet-set jewellery of the earlier Anglo-Saxon period, finger rings of the ninth century are rarely adorned with precious stones. The skills of the goldsmith are seen in this example, where the different techniques of filigree and granulation are combined to produce an elaborately decorated ring.”
Reblogged this on jaxlb.
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Very interesting. I understand the Anglo Saxon garnet was usually cut down and re-worked from Roman pieces so maybe it had run out by this time? What is the third letter (between r and a)?
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That’s an interesting idea…I don’t know. The third letter is “thorn” (http://mentalfloss.com/article/31904/12-letters-didnt-make-alphabet), a consonant pronounced like “th”.
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