Copper-alloy, 16.55 grams, 57.67 mm. 12th-15th century AD. The Mordvinians' material culture developed from Rus-influenced Baltic fashions, including an evolved form of penannular brooch in which the terminals developed into long, rhomboidal plates. The present example comprises a round-section bar formed into a split hoop, with rhomboidal extensions decorated with triangular pelletted designs and with cast ropework loops on the exterior to which decorative chains were attached (a wire link from one chain is still in situ). The pin is formed from a section of a similar 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. Provenance: found Lake Ladoga, from an old German collection.