|
Date: |
|
Description: | A complete cast copper alloy terret ring (rein guide) of late Iron Age date in very good condition. The Terret ring has a thick banded hoop with recessed attachment point bound either side by the trumpet-end terminals of the main hoop. On the crest of the terret ring is what can be described as a 'crown', an integral moulding in the shape of a 'W' with an acorn-knop terminal on the crest of each lozenge cross sectioned arm. The terret measures 46.7mm wide, 54.3mm high and is 14.6mm thick behind the stops. The recessed bar is 27.3mm long, 9.3mm tall and 4.9mm thick.This terret ring displays highly unsual decoration; it could be loosely classed alongside other knobbed terrets but the form does not easily correspond with Spratling's (1972) corpus, being significantly different to the 'multi-knobbed terrets' of Group IV and the 'knobbed terrets' of group IX. However, three other very similar terrets have been recorded from a small area within the Vale of Glamorgan, and maybe this example should be seen as an outlyer to a small but significant group with very similar decoration. These terrets have been identified through metal detecting finds only; as yet none have been found in secure archaeological contexts. The other examples of this terret ring are NMGW-FD38C2 (acquired by Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales), NMGW-DA9283 and NMGW-E80E34. A not too dissimilar strap mounted and skirted terret from Herefordshire also has the triple knopped crown (GLO-B172CF). The date for this, and the other similar terrets, is probably the first century AD; the three acorn-like elements continue to emphasise the importance of triplication during the later Iron Age and early Roman period.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/ | Go to resource |
|
|