Iron Age Celtiberian Bronze Idol

Each with saddle-shaped body, hatched bands, bulbous head, two with scooped beak and two with pointed beak; all concave to the underside. 11.1 grams total, 17-26 mm



Property of a Suffolk, UK, gentleman; from his private collection acquired in continental Europe. Acquired on the UK art market in 2015. Property of a Kent lady collector.

The duck appears in a number of contexts in Celtic art, mainly on vessels associated with feasting. Ducks are also sacred to the Gallic goddess, Sequana who had a major healing shrine based at the source of the river Seine in Burgundy, France. A bronze figure was found at the temple depicting Sequana standing in a boat which had a duck head at the prow. The duck appears to be an attribute of a celestial deity as well. We know that in the Celtic period the sun and sky gods were complicated figures who were linked not only with the heavens but also with water and the underworld. It is possible that the duck was perceived as a suitable solar emblem because it was both able to fly and swim, thus bringing together the elements of sky and water. To the pagan Celts, the sun and water were both related to healing and so it is possible that small votive images such as these were offered at shrines in the hope of a cure.

The penannular body formed with graduated biconical bulbs, recurved tapering terminals. 275 grams, 14.5 cm



Ex old English collection. London art market, 1980s.

Modelled with flat-section bdy, rounded head and feet, legs conjoined, impressed navel, carinated face; mounted on a custom-made stand with inscription 'Celtic Iberian Bronze idol / 500-400 B.C.'. 84 grams total, 10 cm including stand



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.