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Description: | A copper alloy terret ring which dates from the Iron Age or Early Roman period. The terret is complete at 60.1mm long, 57.6mm wide and 16.8mm thick. The hoop is oval in section giving the hoop two faces, and the bar is expanded in the same plane as the oval into a flat, sub-triangular plate. There is a projecting discoid stop with a groove round the edge at each end of the bar, between the bar and the hoop. The bar is 25.6mm long. The hoop is decorated with five ring and dot motifs executed in recessed cells filled with enamel that now appears red in colour. The same design is on both faces of the hoop, but on one side the five dots are more evenly spaced than on the other. The terret is a little pitted with corrosion, but has a smooth and glossy mid green patina and is in very good condition. It is believed that Iron Age vehicles had a set of four terrets set along the yoke, one to guide each rein of a pair of horses, and another larger terret, the function of which is not understood. There is an area or greater wear on the inside of this terret hoop which is at the top right when the bar is held downwards with the side with even decoration facing the holder. This may indicate the angle formed by the reins as they ran through the hoop.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
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