Iron Age Celtic Bronze Strap Distributor with Animal Head

The upper face slightly domed, attachment peg to the reverse; the face with grid of champlevé enamel in red and yellow. 17.2 grams, 31 mm



Found near Scarborough, Yorkshire, UK, recorded with York Museum. Formerly in an old Hampshire collection. Ex Chris Rudd collection, Norfolk, UK; formed since the 1970s. Collection number CE24. 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.

Retaining articulate iron elements and recurved terminals. 362 grams, 19 cm



Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection.

Likely a finial or other fitting, formed as the upper body of a boar with semi-naturalistic anatomical detailing; recess to base. 57 grams, 54 mm



‘The Ancient Menagerie Collection’ formerly the property of a Cambridgeshire lady, collected since the 1990s and acquired from auctions and dealers throughout Europe and the USA, now ex London collection.