Silver, 14.29 grams, 59.60 mm. 12th-15th century AD. The Mordvinians of the Volga region of Russia are sometimes linked to the Mordens who were mentioned as subjects of the Gothic king Ermanarik in the 4th century AD (Jordanes, Getica). Their material culture developed its own styles, among which is a form of penannular brooch in which the terminals evolved into long, rhomboidal plates. The present example comprises a round-section bar formed almost to a circle, with triangular extensions decorated with triangular pelletted designs. The pin is formed from a section of the same bar, flattened at one end and coiled around the loop. Reference: Sedov, V.V. Finno-Ugri i Balti v Epokhy Srednevekoviya, Moscow, 1987, p.292 fig.12. Extremely fine condition. Found Lake Ladoga. Ex old European collection.