Iron Age Celtic Horse Bit

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).

Round-section hoop with three radiating animal-heads, discoid stud with quincunx of ring-and-dot motifs. 159 grams, 44 mm



Found near Great Chesterford, Cambridgeshire, UK, 2000s.

Comprising two discs with three radiating lobes, red and yellow enamel infill, connected by a red enamelled triangular plaque to a thick suspension loop. 5.94 grams, 35 mm



Ex private collection, UK; formed in the 1980s.