Bronze Age Gold from Wales

Iron Age enamelled copper alloy harness fitting (toggle or cheek-piece), probably of 1st century AD date The toggle is near-complete, with slight peripheral damage and some surface loss (with an overall length of 115.9mm and a weight of 100.7g). The circular disc terminals are expanded (with a diameter of 15.7mm and a thickness of 4.5mm). The side of the terminal is enhanced with a central rib (1.5mm wide) and there is no enamelled inlay on the terminals. The arms are of circular section and concave across their length, expanding to the terminal and to the mid-section (with a minimum diameter of 10.8mm). The mid-section is gently rounded and is convex across its length and width (with a length of 21.4mm and a thickness of 18.8mm). The central opening is sub-rectangular (with a length of 27.0mm and a width of 7.8mm). The opening is both wider and longer on the interior. One side of the toggle is decorated with inlaid red enamel in La Tène style. The motif is enhanced throughout with a delicate incised border. The inlaid decoration comprises a symmetrical curvilinear design. At the centre the cells are near-linear at the top and bottom and curve on the interior on both sides, before a double concave arc defines a point. The enamelled cell narrows again near the side before widening into an oval terminal. The pointed arc meets the oval on the central axis. The arms are decorated with symmetrical cells comprising convex curved ends before narrowing with concave sides. The device on one side narrows to such a degree that it becomes too thin to inlay with enamel. The surface has a brown-green patina with some areas of pale green surface loss. The red enamel is mostly somewhat dulled but patches of damage reveal the original vibrant red.

Bronze harness toggle, 50-100 CE, decorated with red glass in the Celtic La Tène style.

There was a powerful connection between warriors and their horses. Elite warriors used their chariots to display their high status. They used exquisite bronze work decorated with red glass in their horse harnesses and chariot fittings. Objects such as this give us a glimpse of the people who waged war with an invading Roman army, 1,950 years ago.

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