Art in the Eurasian Iron Age by Nimura Courtney; Chittock Helen; Hommel Peter

Author:Nimura, Courtney; Chittock, Helen; Hommel, Peter
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ART / General
Publisher: Oxbow Books, Limited
Published: 2020-02-28T00:00:00+00:00

Torc BM 1991,0501.29

My discussion now focuses on the ornament of a single torc decorated with an overall pattern which Stead (2009, fig. 1f) described as a palmette (Fig. 7.3), but also with reference to others from the Snettisham hoards. A tubular torc fragment from Hoard F, it comprises a single terminal and part of the neck-ring. It was originally found completely crushed but has been reshaped subsequent to its discovery by a British Museum conservator (Joy & Farley forthcoming). The terminal is elaborately ornamented with the design arranged around a lyre-shaped framework (Fig. 7.4A). Incorporated within this blueprint is a series of motifs framed within panels (Fig. 7.4A–E). Parallels to these motifs are readily identifiable, for example following only a brief survey of compendiums of British Celtic art such as Fox (1958) and Jope (2000), resemblances for the motif, labelled ‘E’ in Figure 7.4, were identified on the Witham shield and a sword scabbard from Wetwang Slack both categorised by Stead (1996, 75) as Stage IV. I could no doubt have found many more and could repeat the same exercise for the other motifs set within panels. The manner in which the individual motifs are each contained within individual panels or cells is also reminiscent of the inscribed decoration on the Wandsworth shield boss, which is contained within separate sections of raised ornament. It is probable that another researcher looking at these motifs would find other different parallels, underlining some of the limitations of stylistic analysis, as well as representations as two-dimensional line drawings and photographs (cf. Jones 2001). But it is clear that torc BM1991,0501.29 is decorated in multiple styles: a palmette outline with Style IV motifs set within individual cells.

Fig. 7.3. Image of torc BM 1991,0501.29. The raised decoration is clearly visible, and motifs have been delineated by raised lines. Further texture has been added by punching the surface with small dots (© Trustees of the British Museum).

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