🥇 BANNER Romano/Celtic dagger Cross Guard 1st C BC - 1st C AD

[nashwen]

Thought I'd share this dagger cross guard I found while detecting in woodland, pleased to have had it identified and dated by members on this forum


It was buried at about 6" no sign of any blade unfortunately, I'm guessing that must have rusted away over the years


Now correctly identified as Cheek piece toggle although more recently modern research, from their occurrence in chariot burials, suggests that their use may have been with the chariots themselves



The site has a lot of undergrowth so I've only been able to detect about 25% of it, hope there's more to be found there once I get another chance.

 

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[Tpmetal]

thats awesome! nice find

 

[CRUSADER]

Firstly I have nominated this for Banner for the following reasons;

It's an EXTREMELY RARE UK find.
It has a lovely patina, complete & with some enamel.

This Iron Age (Celtic) workmanship may have crossed over into the Roman period, but it clearly shows signs of British craftmanship, some of the best in Europe at the time.

It is of Museum standard & that maybe the only place you may find a similar example. It's very possible that this might be one of less than 5 examples known!

BIG CONGRATS.

 

[trapperart]

Congrats on a super find

 

[JamieD]

That's a beautiful find Nashwen.

Just to disagree slightly though I believe that what you have is an Iron Age chariot fitting of the type usually referred to as cheek piece toggles.

There's a (plain) example here on the portable antiquities scheme database:

https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/89289

And one very much like yours that sold at timeline auctions:

Celtic Iron Age - Enamelled Cheek Piece Toggle - Lot No. 582

Still an amazing find - part of an Iron Age chariot - and I'll be voting banner too!

Jamie

 

[nashwen]

thanks Jamie for the links

It certainly does look very similar to the item sold on the auction link,

The only real difference I can see, perhaps not completely clear from my photo's is that there is a copper piece
inside the slot that looks like it would grip a knife blade, suppose it could just as easily be gripping a leather strap.

 

[CRUSADER]

That's a beautiful find Nashwen.

Just to disagree slightly though I believe that what you have is an Iron Age chariot fitting of the type usually referred to as cheek piece toggles.

There's a (plain) example here on the portable antiquities scheme database:

https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/89289

And one very much like yours that sold at timeline auctions:

Celtic Iron Age - Enamelled Cheek Piece Toggle - Lot No. 582

Still an amazing find - part of an Iron Age chariot - and I'll be voting banner too!

Jamie

Agreed, seems a pretty good match, the one thing that bothered me a little was the size of the slot, normally it would be smaller. As both options are described as 'EXTREMELY RARE' I'm still thinking it BANNER worthy.
Plus anyone with a chariot was High Status.

 

[JamieD]

Agreed, the slot looks longer/narrower than any of the other toggles but otherwise it's spot on. I can't find any Iron Age dagger quillons that come close in shape/design.

There's a few others here from a better targeted search on the pas database

https://finds.org.uk/database/search/results/broadperiod/IRON+AGE/description/Cheekpiece

The copper pieces inside the slot are a bit baffling as you wouldn't usually see them on a quillon either!

Jamie

 

[nashwen]

Scrap finds at site

There appears to be a lot of Roman/Celtic activity in the area


I had a lot of hits for smelted bits of lead (there are known Roman Lead mines in the area) and also what seem small off cuts of bronze


Check out the picture, any opinions most welcome;

 

[Steve in PA]

Firstly I have nominated this for Banner for the following reasons;

It's an EXTREMELY RARE UK find.
It has a lovely patina, complete & with some enamel.

This Iron Age (Celtic) workmanship may have crossed over into the Roman period, but it clearly shows signs of British craftmanship, some of the best in Europe at the time.

It is of Museum standard & that maybe the only place you may find a similar example. It's very possible that this might be one of less than 5 examples known!

BIG CONGRATS.

I am also nominating for BANNER for the reasons stated above. Cru said it better that I could have. All I can add is my congratulations!

 

[CRUSADER]

There appears to be a lot of Roman/Celtic activity in the area


I had a lot of hits for smelted bits of lead (there are known Roman Lead mines in the area) and also what seem small off cuts of bronze


Check out the picture, any opinions most welcome;

View attachment 1435337 View attachment 1435338

Although you may have a nearby Lead Mine, it's not really relevant to why you get lead pieces on your Site. Lead is our base indicator for a Roman Site. No Lead = No Site. It was used in many different ways, mostly commonly as pot mends.
The scrap bronze pieces actually look like larger objects broken down to make ready to recycle, which could indicate a nearby Metal Working Site.

 

[nashwen]

Although you may have a nearby Lead Mine, it's not really relevant to why you get lead pieces on your Site. Lead is our base indicator for a Roman Site. No Lead = No Site. It was used in many different ways, mostly commonly as pot mends.
The scrap bronze pieces actually look like larger objects broken down to make ready to recycle, which could indicate a nearby Metal Working Site.

yes that makes sense thanks

 

[Westfront]

Congrats great find! Anything iron age seems rare to me, with a chariot piece being extremely rare so my Banner vote is in too. Beautiful piece with nice patina!

 

[Scrappy]

These finds are what keeps me up at night. Excellent find and a major congrats. Banner all the way, yes, but also try "Best of Treasurenet"....

Ah, and the remaining enamel!! Wow

 

[rebbel31]

Sweet cheek....piece. Congrats. Based on age and rarity, banner vote in.

 

[CASPER-2]

 

[etex]

Banner.

 

[HunterMF]

Amazing find! Congrats!

 

[Relicific]

That's an eye opener of a find
Congrats

 

[MadTom]

If it is a cheek piece it is also extremely rare from what I have read. Only 15 found? Very impressive