strip;
ornament
- Museum number
- 2005,0902.1
- Description
-
Strip of beaten sheet gold in the shape of a crescent. The ends are slightly expanded to form oval terminals with a central circular perforation. One of the terminals is broken across the perforation. This possibly happened in antiquity as a second circular perforation has been created in the neck of the terminal. The edges of the strip, including the terminals, are defined by a neat row of pointillé.
- Production date
- 2500BC-2000BC (circa)
- Dimensions
-
Length: 264 millimetres
-
Weight: 2.90 grammes
-
Thickness: 0.10 millimetres
-
Width: 11.70 millimetres
- Curator's comments
- The precise form of this ornament is new, but it can be related stylistically to the earliest goldwork in Britain and Western Europe. Although recalling to mind the gold lunulae most often found in Ireland, the Braithwaite piece is much less substantial and elaborate. Neither does it have the strong curvature of lunulae. It is an important addition to the repertoire of primary beaker goldwork from Britain.
Non-destructive X-ray fluorescence analysis of the surface of the gold strip from Braithwaite by the British Museum indicated a gold content of approximately 90%.
S.P. Needham
- Location
- Not on display
- Acquisition date
- 2005
- Department
- Britain, Europe and Prehistory
- Registration number
- 2005,0902.1
- Additional IDs
-
Treasure/PAS number: 2001T88 (Treasure number)
