The 'Sutton-on-Trent Tankard Handle' of the Corieltavi tribe, decorated with two opposed long-necked open-beaked birds which meet in the middle to form two wide-eyed owl-faces with pointed ears, a motif beloved of certain Corieltavian rulers, as seen from their coins, such as Vepo Hawkeyes (ABC 1914), Esuprasu Owlface (ABC 1920) and Aunt Cost Owlface (ABC 1941).

PROVENANCE:
The Chris Rudd collection, Norfolk, UK; formed since the 1970s; collection number CE59; part of the Sutton-on-Trent 'treasure'; found Sutton-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire, UK.

FOOTNOTES:
On 19 May 2009 Chris Rudd received images of a Celtic tankard handle and other objects that had been found inside the remains of a late Iron Age or early Romano-British cauldron or bucket that had been unearthed on a farm near Sutton-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire. Recognising the significance of the hoard, he advised that it should be reported to the local PAS finds liaison officer, but also added that if a museum did not acquire the hoard, that he would be keen to buy it. The hoard was reported to FLO Rachel Atherton and then examined at the British Museum. Two years later Chris was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to purchase the hoard for his own collection, including the 'jewel' in the bucket - the Sutton-on-Trent Tankard Handle.

Chris Rudd has collected ancient coins and antiquities since the 1940s. As an amateur archaeologist he found many himself at Badbury Rings, Dorset, 1952-53. He also dug at Hod Hill with Professor Sir Ian Richmond and at Wroxeter with Dame Kathleen Kenyon and Dr Graham Webster. Today he is best known as a Celtic coin dealer. His catalogues have been described as ‘an important research source’ by Professor Sir Barry Cunliffe and ‘treasure houses of delight’ by Dr Anne Ross. Coins and artefacts associated with Chris Rudd – as a collector, dealer and valuer – can be seen in The British Museum and other museums. This collection was formed since the 1970s.