Iron Age British Iceni Bronze Celtic Strap Junction

Composed of an openwork discoid head and triangular lug, stylised. 12.4 grams, 34 mm



Part of the Sutton-on-Trent 'treasure'; found Sutton-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire, UK. Ex Chris Rudd collection, Norfolk, UK; formed since the 1970s. Collection number CE62.

Corieltauvi coins are teeming with such hidden faces, though they are often more difficult to discern than this miniature facial masterpiece. 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.

Of tripartite form, comprising: the handle, the main mirror plate and tubular binding edge; the reverse of the mirror plate with traces of volute and spiral decoration, once covering the entire surface, thick applied border; separate handle comprising three fastening lobes and three openwork rings forming the grip, possibly a marriage. 355 grams, 27 cm



Private collection since the late 1990s. Property of an English collector. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.10603-174116.

Such mirrors were a unique product of the Celts in Britain, during a period between 300 B.C. and 100 A.D., when they were buried in the graves of queens, high-born princesses and other noblewomen, or in treasure hoards. The majority of these graves are dated between 100 B.C. and 100 A.D. Most of the specimens come from Britain (Desborough, Oxfordshire, Old Warden, Shillington, Trelan Bahow, Mayer mirrors), and a few were found in the nearby regions of France or the Low Countries (e.g. the Dordrecht mirror).

Composed of a boss-and-loop with straight edge to loop. 8.96 grams, 25 mm



Found Higham Ferrers, Northants, UK. Ex Chris Rudd collection, Norfolk, UK; formed since the 1970s; collection number CE35. Accompanied by a Chris Rudd information card.

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.