Iron Age Celtic Bronze Moustache Chape

Flat in section with crescentic upper end and scrolled lower end, the surface formed with symmetrically placed low-relief palmettes, vine tendrils with grapes and foliage, reserved against the field enamelled in green, dark blue and red. 94 grams, 13 cm

Very good condition.

Acquired in the early 1980s. with Edward Smith, USA. From the collection of a Connecticut, USA, collector. with TimeLine Auctions, 23 May 2017, no.251. Private American collection, New York, USA. 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.11994-210999.

This could be an example of a Romano-British bronze and enamel handle from a mirror or patera, similar to some other existing examples in museums. The shape of the handle is similar to one of the famous pateras from Pompeii. Our specimen is decorated with 'Celtic-style' motifs consisting of a curvilinear scrollwork design of turquoise and blue enamel. A bowl with almost identical enamel work was found in Staffordshire, known as 'The Staffordshire Pan' (WMID-3FE965), while a complete patera was excavated in Amiens (known as the Amiens Patera).

Possibly the end-panel of a wooden casket, with champ levé enamel scrolls flanking a central palmette within a rectilinear border; Chris Rudd says: 'The S-shaped scroll either side of the central palmette motif is reminiscent of the S-shaped scrolls seen on Lindsey Scyphate gold quarter staters (ABC 1770, 1773), struck by the Corieltavi, close neighbours of the Brigantes.' 37.7 grams, 57 mm



Found North Yorkshire, UK. Ex Chris Rudd collection, Norfolk, UK; formed since the 1970s. Collection number CE26. 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.

Comprising a D-section hoop with coiled terminals wound around the shank. 3.44 grams, 22.84 mm overall, 19.27 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q, USA 8, Europe 17.49, Japan 16)



Acquired in the 2000s. From the private collection of John Lawton, Surrey, UK. Accompanied by a copy of a previous cataloguing information page.