During the Viking Age, vast quantities of Islamic silver flowed into Scandinavia via Russian markets. Much of the silver arrived in the form of coins, known as dirhams, but one type of silver object was also imported from the East. This is the so-called ‘Permian’ ring, named after the region of the Perm in Russia (west of the Ural mountains, in the Kama river basin) where finds of its type are concentrated. We do not know where, exactly, these rings were made, or who made them. It’s likely, however, that they were acquired, alongside dirhams, by Scandinavian merchants in Russia, in exchange for commodities such as slaves and furs.
A 'Permian' arm-ring from Sweden, with heart-shaped hook. Photographed in the National Museum, Stockholm (© Jane Kershaw) |
An important feature of Permian arm-rings is that they were
manufactured to fixed weight standards, based on multiples of 100g. The
heaviest rings, weighing 400g, are found only in Russia, while in the Baltic
and Scandinavia most rings are smaller and lighter, weighing either 100 or
200g. This weight adjustment suggests that Permian rings functioned as large
units of currency, a bit like a £1000 bank note. Interestingly, the Russian
term for a 50g unit is grivna, which
also means ‘neck-ring’.
Permian rings were probably made from melted-down dirhams, hundreds
of thousands of which reached Russia (as well as the Baltic, and Scandinavia)
as a result of Islamic trade with markets along the Russian river network. The
fact that the heaviest rings are found in the east suggests that silver here
was more plentiful than further west. It’s likely that large units of currency
were well suited to the type of bulk trade, for instance, in raw goods and
slaves, taking place in Russia.
Cut fragment from a Permian arm-ring, found in Lincolnshire. Photograph by me (© Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge) |
So, we know quite a lot about the character of these finds, and how and where they were used. But
their origins remain something of a mystery. The fact that they are associated
with dirhams, and were made to fixed weights, may suggest an Arab origin, since
accurate weight systems were a feature of the Islamic Caliphates. But the
weight units also reflect the Russian grivna,
and most rings are found in this, northern region. My guess would be that they
were made by Russian merchants, perhaps in one of the great market places on
the River Volga.
Very interesting subject matter!
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There isn't being done much research on this in Denmark, (where i'm from) as far as i am aware.
They are certainly very beautiful! I Came for a look after reading about them in "ivory Vikings".
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