Rights Holder: Isle of Wight Council
CC License:
Our images can be used under a CC BY attribution licence (unless stated otherwise).
Unique ID: IOW-5A60F3
Object type certainty: Possibly
Workflow
status: Published
Gold object, possibly a bracelet of possible Late Bronze Age date (1100 BC - 800 BC).
Plain folded sheet gold ribbon - the gold ribbon is consistently folded back on itself four times reducing the appreciation of the form. There do not appear to be any terminals so it can be assumed the gold formed a continuous band whose dimensions would be that of a bracelet. There is no visible decoration beyond the flared edges. Whilst there are minor fractures and impact marks, there appear to be recent in date.
Sheet gold bracelets of comparable form and dimensions are found Britain and Ireland during the Late Bronze Age (1100-800 BC) as exemplified in the Saintjohns, C. Kildare and Derrinboy, Co. Offaly bracelets in Ireland (Eogan 1994, Plate XII). However, there is only one flared edge and no incised or embossed decoration which might be expected.
The object probably fulfils the Treasure Act (1996) in that it is more than 300 years old and may even date to the Late Bronze Age but no further certainty is possible.
Eogan, G. (1994). 'The Accomplished Art: gold and gold-working in Britain and Ireland during the Bronze Age (c. 2300-650 BC)'. Oxford: Oxbow Monograph 42.
Notes:
It was found at a depth of 6-8" and there were no other associated finds.
Plain folded sheet gold ribbon - the gold ribbon is consistently folded back on itself four times reducing the appreciation of the form. There do not appear to be any terminals so it can be assumed the gold formed a continuous band whose dimensions would be that of a bracelet. There is no visible decoration beyond the flared edges. Whilst there are minor fractures and impact marks, there appear to be recent in date. L: 50.2mm, W: 24.2mm, Th: 8.5mm, W: 29.84g Dimensions (millimetres/grams) L: length W: width Th: thickness Wt: weight Discussion Sheet gold bracelets of comparable form and dimensions are found Britain and Ireland during the Late Bronze Age (1150-800 BC) as exemplified in the Saintjohns, C. Kildare and Derrinboy, Co. Offaly bracelets in Ireland (Eogan 1994, Plate XII). However, there is only one flared edge and no incised or embossed decoration which might be expected. Conclusion The object probably fulfils the Treasure Act (1996) in that it is more than 300 years old and may even date to the Late Bronze Age but no further certainty is possible Eogan, G. (1994). The Accomplished Art: gold and gold-working in Britain and Ireland during the Bronze Age (c. 2300-650 BC). Oxford: Oxbow Monograph 42 Ben Roberts 23rd May 2008 Curator of European Bronze Age British Museum Great Russell Street London WC1B 3DG
Non-destructive X-ray fluorescence analysis of the surface of a folded gold strip from Brading, Isle of Wight, indicated a gold content of 73-75%, a silver content of 23-25 % and approximately !% copper. Susan La Niece Antony Simpson Department of Conservation, Documentation and Science The British Museum File No. 7393-48 br 12th June 2008
This has been noted as an interesting find by the recorder.
Evidence of reuse: Folded
Current location of find: Finder
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder after being disclaimed as Treasure
Treasure case tracking number: 2008T279
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
Subperiod from: Late
Period from: BRONZE AGE
Subperiod to: Late
Period to: BRONZE AGE
Date from: 1150 BC
Date to: 800 BC
Period of reuse: BRONZE AGE
Quantity: 1
Length: 50.2 mm
Width: 24.2 mm
Thickness: 8.5 mm
Weight: 29.84 g
Date(s) of discovery: Wednesday 23rd April 2008
This information is restricted for your access level.
Other reference: 2008T279
Treasure case number: 2008T279
Grid reference source: GPS (from the finder)
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
Author | Publication Year | Title | Publication Place | Publisher | Pages | Reference | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Eogan, G. | 1994 | The Accomplished Art: Gold and Gold-Working in Britain and Ireland during the Bronze Age | Oxford | Oxbow Books | Plate XII |