Copper-alloy, 15.64 grams, 53.10 mm. 12th-15th century AD. The Baltic Mordvinians' material culture developed from Scandinavian Rus-influenced 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; portions of three such links formed from wire are still in place. Attached to these chains were decorative items such as the two small pierced cowrie shells here with wire loops still attached. 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.