Material Gold alloy Discovered 1950 | Created 100-75 BC Registration P&EE 1951 4-2 2 | |
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Size 20 cm diameter, 1kg in weight Similar Tara Brooch, Ardagh Hoard, Dying Gaul, Lewis chessmen | ||
The Great Torc from Snettisham or Snettisham Great Torc is a large, Iron Age electrum torc or neck-ring that is the most spectacular object in the Snettisham Hoard of Iron Age torcs and other metalwork found near the village of Snettisham in Norfolk, East Anglia. The perfectly intact torc is outstanding for its high level of craftsmanship and superb artistry. Soon after its discovery this elaborate collar was acquired by the British Museum.
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Discovery
The torc was accidentally found in 1950 by a farmer ploughing a field at Ken Hill near the village of Snettisham. It had been buried with a bracelet and coin, which helped to date the torc to around 75 BC. Many other Iron Age hoards have since been found in the vicinity, but the Great Torc is considered by archaeologists to be the most important find from Snettisham. Declared treasure trove soon after its discovery, the torc was purchased by the British Museum with the support of the National Art Collections Fund.
Description
The Great Torc from Snettisham, which weighs just over a kilogram, is mostly made of gold alloyed with a small part of silver. The torc was made in two ways: complex threads of metal were grouped into ropes and twisted around each other to create the crescent shaped necklace; the ends of the torc were cast in moulds with La Tène designs and welded onto the metal ropes to create the whole composition. Given the large amount of precious metals found at the site, in addition to the sophisticated design of luxurious jewellery such as this, it has been conjectured that the area around Snettisham may have been connected with royalty from the Iceni tribe, that was based in this part of England at the time.
