J2

European Late Bronze Age solid gold ornaments

A pair of heavy gold penannular rings with flat trumpet-shaped finials, probably used as currency and worn as hair or garment ornaments as they are too small to function as finger-rings.

Both pieces have a wonderful tactile surface and a purity typical of European native gold. The simple yet elegantly modern shape occurs in objects dispersed from Iberia to Ireland so a metallurgical analysis would be required to assess where the metal was originally mined.

Europe, Late Bronze Age, c. 1150 - 800 BC

Size: 1.7 and 1.6 cms diameter each at widest point

Both intact

Ex. private collection, France; acquired between 1960-1975.