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Description: | A cast copper alloy Roman terret ring, dating to circa 1st - 2nd century AD. Terret rings were attached to chariots, carts or wagons and served as rein-guides. They helped guide in reins from the horses harness to the rider/charioteers hands. This particular type of terret ring dates to the Roman period (more specifically 1st - 2nd century AD).This terret can be specifically dated because of the 'skirt' which covers the second loop. The large loop would have been used to guide the reins, whilst the smaller loop below was the means of attachment to the harness.The terret would have been strapped to a wooden yoke, which is a pole fixed to the front of the cart and passed between a pair of horses. Most vehicles would have five terrets; four small side terrets (two for the reins of each horse) and one larger central terret, probably at the end of the yoke closest to the driver, through which the reins would pass.The item consists of a nearly circular loop, mounted on a 'ridge-piece', which slopes down on each side; this has a attachment loop beneath it. The upper ring (53.12mm x 46.61mm) has a diamond-shaped section, and is thicket at it base; it tapers towards the top although the slimmest part of the ring is to one side of the top. The upper part of the ring has a short decorative groove which has two stamped ring /dots on each face. Either side of the groove, there are 'shoulders' on the edges, above each of which are two small decorative diagonal grooves on one side. The top of the ring is perforated by a small vertical hole, around 2.8mm in diameter; corrosion has meant that one side of the hole is open.The base of the ring is joined to the ridge via a narrow decorative band, which bulges out and has indented vertical hatching. The ridge mount consists of two narrow sides which slope down, the angle between them being around 100°. The ends are rounded, and slightly upturned; one end has a knop, while the other end may have lost a similar knop, although the surface is corroded and worn. The ends are slightly thicker than the sides, each of which is marked with three radiating raised strips. The attachment loop beneath (39mm x 20mm), which is almost a semicircle, is roughly made, and projects at a slight angle.The surface of the artefact is dark brownish-green; much of the original smooth surface survives, but there are patches of corrosion covering approx. 30% of the object. The shape of the object suggest it was made using the lost-wax process. The perforation at the top of the ring presumably held a decorative finial of some sort. The ring was obviously mounted onto a fitting with a ridge, sloping down on each side.
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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