Bronze Ipswich Torc Terminal Pendant

Description

The gold original is on one of four gold Torcs or collars, found at Ipswich in 1968 and now on display in the British Museum, London. The four Torcs were found in a field by a farmer when ploughing. Thinking they were 'bucket handles or something', he threw them in a ditch. Urged on by his wife, he recovered them the next day, took them to Ipswich Museum where thjey were identified as solid gold Torcs. They were later bought by the British Museum for £48,000.00. Reproductions were made that are on display at Ipswich Museum.

The Torc, made of gold, is a circular necklet formed of two rods of hexagonal cross-section, twisted together. Decorated terminals, modelled in wax, were attached at each end and cast in position using the 'Lost Wax (cire-perdue) technique. The modelling of the wax shows the spatula scratches and smoothing strokes. Height 54mm, width 38mm. Weight 52gm, solid bronze. Aged bronze patina finsh. Bright finish available on request.