Choose Category:

Home > Auctions > Starting 3rd June 2025 > Celtic Iceni Decorated Bronze Horn Cap

Print page | Email lot to a friend

Back to previous page


A Rare War Chariot Handle
Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge
Gallery loading...

LOT 0347

Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,820

CELTIC ICENI DECORATED BRONZE HORN CAP
IRON AGE, 2ND CENTURY B.C.-EARLY 1ST CENTURY A.D.
1 3/4 - 3 in. (314 grams total, 45-75 mm).

Sceptre head or other fitting with biconvex flange, possibly a finial from the yoke of a chariot.

PROVENANCE:
Found Colchester, Essex, UK, 1990s.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

LITERATURE:
Cf. Jope, E. M., Early Celtic Art, Oxford, 2000, pl.302-3, described as a vehicle pole and yoke fittings; Macdonald, P., Llyn Cerrig Bach. A Study of the Copper Alloy Artefacts from the Insular La Tène Assemblage, Cardiff, 2007, fig.23, item 49; cf. similar offered in Christie's, London, 12 December 1984, no.26A (£7,000-£10,000).

FOOTNOTES:
Twenty or so 'horn caps' are known in museums and private collections, all have been found in Britain and mostly in Southern England. This type of decorative cap is from the end of a curved wooden handle which projected from the back of an Iron Age chariot, by which a warrior could pull himself back into the chariot. The chariot to which this would have been attached would have belonged to a chief or wealthy warrior from the Icenic tribe.

CONDITION
VETTING:
TimeLine Auctions follows a rigorous vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process

AUCTIONS:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.