This torc (metal neck-ring) was discovered in 1950, in a field near the village of Snettisham, Norfolk, England. The site is on the north-west coast of Norfolk, overlooking the Wash. Later, many hoards of Iron Age torcs were found at this site. This torc was one of the early finds, and at the time the most impressive, and so it is conventionally referred to as “The Snettisham Great Torc”.
This torc is one of the most elaborate golden objects from the ancient world. It is made from an alloy of gold, silver and copper, and weighs over 1 kg. The neck-ring is made from 64 wires in eight separate coils. The ends are elaborately decorated with swirling motifs.
The torc was probably buried around 50 BC. This is based on stylistic dating, contextual dating of the associated coin found within one of the terminals (see below), and radiocarbon-dating of wooden cores from similar objects found at the same site.
This torc is one of the most elaborate golden objects from the ancient world. It is made from an alloy of gold, silver and copper, and weighs over 1 kg. The neck-ring is made from 64 wires in eight separate coils. The ends are elaborately decorated with swirling motifs.
The torc was probably buried around 50 BC. This is based on stylistic dating, contextual dating of the associated coin found within one of the terminals (see below), and radiocarbon-dating of wooden cores from similar objects found at the same site.
"(See below)" link ??
ReplyDeleteLook up how to put on a Torc and you'll end up at a fascinating article from the British Museum.
ReplyDeleteThat is absolutely beautiful craftsmanship.
ReplyDeleteAnd as gold itself cannot be radiocarbon-dated, if you commissioned an exact copy, if you matched the metal alloy content, there would be absolutely no way to tell the original from the newer version.
ReplyDeleteAnd Van Cleef & Arpels could be knocking them out by the dozen.
Of course, a kg of (mostly)gold, plus silver and copper, would run you about $55K, presently, before you added in labor costs for the workmanship.
That's some pretty fabulous skill on display from an unknown 1st c. BC goldsmith.
And of course, you'd simply have to have the matching bracelets and ear rings, or you'd never hear the end of it.
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