Celtic Bronze Cosmetic Grinder

Robust ring of octagonal section, fashioned from drawn and hammered wire, the hoop terminating in tightly coiled spirals, which flank a rectangular ornament soldered across the bezel, recalling a miniature axe-head; the coils further reinforced with wrapped silver wire, securing the decorative composition. 8.30 grams, 28.40 mm overall, 21.70 x 19.32 mm internal diameter (approximate size British T 1/2, USA 9 3/4, Europe 21.89, Japan 21)



Bonhams, Fine Antiquities, 4 July 1998, no.19. Private collection, UK, 1990s. with Rupert Wace Ancient Art Ltd, London. with Ariadne Galleries, New York and London, acquired from the above at TEFAF 2014, New York. Private American collection, acquired from the above, 23 January 2017.

This ring belongs to the repertoire of autochthonous Balkan silverwork that flourished from the Roman conquest through the mid-3rd century. The type is closely related to ornaments documented in the Tekija and Bare hoards, where bracelets and rings with spiral-wrapped ends and miniature axes appear as apotropaic symbols. While the axe motif was deeply embedded in Dacian and Balkan visual culture, its execution here in silver, combined with wire wrapping and spiralled terminals, reflects the enduring influence of Hellenistic toreutics upon local craftsmanship. Rather than a Viking jewel, the ring finds its most convincing parallels among the Balkan-Danubian silver hoards of the early Roman Empire.

Comprising: a substantial ring, the upper section formed as a series of conjoined bulbs, the lower portion lentoid in section springing from a bulb; the bulb mounted on a base, C-shaped in section, carinated and recurved at each end to terminate in a knop attached to the underside of the ring; the base developing to a vertical strap with flanking crescent horns meeting at a ribbed collar; beneath the bulb, a rectangular loop to accept a bridle strap; one side of base absent. 64.6 grams, 63 mm



Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a Lancashire, UK, collector.

The design features of the terret are consistent with Insular La Tène art of the last centuries B.C., such as the returned horns with knop finials and the crescent motifs.

Composed of a square panel with a face divided into cells with red, yellow and green enamel fill; a trapezoidal loop and attachment arm. 6.3 grams, 35 mm



From the private collection of the late collection of Mr M., Waterlooville, Hampshire, UK, formed from the late 1980s to early 1990s.