torc
- Museum number
- 1968,1004.1
- Title
- Object: The Sedgeford Torc
- Description
-
Portion of multistrand ring terminal type torc consisting of one terminal and the main body made of twisted wires. The other terminal is missing. The missing terminal was found in 2004 and acquired by the British Museum in 2005 (2005,1103.1). This torc is made from an alloy of gold and silver.
The main body of the torc was made from twenty-five metres of twisted gold wire. To make the body of the torc required forty-eight separate gold wires, each two millimetres thick, that were twisted together. First, pairs of wires were twisted together to make twenty four threads. Then three threads at a time were twisted together in the opposite direction to make eight separate ropes. These were twisted together.
The decorated terminal was cast on the end of the rope. The terminal has a cast raised decoration of trumpet swirls and pellets. The front of the collar is decorated with 11 pellets each with 3 impressions against a background of 'basket weave' work. Basket weave is also used to highlight several of the voids created by the raised trumpet swirls on the main body of the terminals. These bars were interpreted as an ancient repair when the torc was found in 1965. The actual function of these bars requires further work.
This terminal has evidence for 3 separate metal bars passing through from the outer surfaces of the terminal through the void left by the lost wax casting. These were added after the terminal was cast. The holes to fit the bars were carefully cut through the front and back of the terminal before the bar was fitted. There is a crack in the back of the terminal between two of these bars. Brailsford interpreted these bars as an ancient repair. The 2004 terminal has one similar bar.
- Production date
- 200 BC - 50 BC
- Dimensions
-
Length: 255 millimetres (approx.)
-
Weight: 456 grammes
- Curator's comments
- Found on May 6th 1965 during harrowing of a field called Polar Brek at West Hall Farm, Sedgeford by Mr A.E.Middleton. The other terminal of this torc was found in 2004, and is also held by the British Museum (2005.1103.1)
- Location
- On display (G50/dc22)
- Exhibition history
-
Exhibited:
1991 24 Mar-8 Dec, Italy, Venice, Palazzo Grassi, I Celti
- Acquisition date
- 1968
- Acquisition notes
- Acquired with a contribution from the Christy Trust
- Department
- Britain, Europe and Prehistory
- Registration number
- 1968,1004.1
