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• The bracelet has been valued at 拢45,000
• Export bar is to allow time for a UK gallery or institution to acquire the torc

A temporary export bar has been placed on a Celtic gold twisted torc bracelet dating听back to the Iron Age.

The bracelet is a fine and well-preserved example of a personal ornament particular to听Britain in the late first millennium听BC known听as a 鈥榯orc鈥�.

Personal ornaments, such as this gold torc bracelet are rare finds in Britain and are often听closely associated with the identity of ancient Britons prior to the Roman invasion.

The torc was created from two wires twisted and plied together with a single, round, looped听terminal at either end. Experts advise that it has been bent to form a bracelet from a larger听ring, likely either from an arm ring or a small neck-ring for a child.

The form and style confirms that it originates from Britain, most probably central or eastern听England, in contrast to the diverse torc forms that are found across Continental Europe.

Arts Minister Sir Chris Bryant said:

鈥淭his well preserved item brings our distant past into the present, and an opportunity听to understand fashion and metalworking in a period of our history we are still learning听so much about.

鈥淚 hope placing an export bar on this Celtic torc means a suitable UK buyer can be听found so that the public have more opportunities to learn more about the lives of our听ancestors.鈥�

The Minister鈥檚 decision follows the advice of the听听. The RCEWA Committee found the torc met the听third Waverley criterion for its outstanding significance to the study of goldsmithing, personal听dress and identity in Britain before the Roman invasions.

Committee member Tim Pestell said:

鈥淭orcs have long been associated with Britain鈥檚 Iron Age, an image conjured up ever听since Roman historian Cassius Dio described Boudica, queen of the Iceni as听鈥榳earing around her neck 鈥� a large golden necklace鈥�. This plied and twisted gold听bracelet takes the form of a simple neck torc created from two wires twisted and plied听together with single, round, loops at each terminal. Was this small example originally听made to be worn around the neck of a child and later folded into a bracelet? Or was it听made as a bracelet in the shape of a torc? Examples of jewellery like this are of听utmost rarity and outstanding importance for what they can tell us about the early听British society that produced them.

鈥淢ade of 97% pure gold and conventionally dated to c.150 - 50 BCE, this bracelet is听of a form unique to England. Because the production of Iron Age jewellery like this is听still imperfectly understood, its study can yield vital information on the use and听availability of gold, goldsmithing techniques and decorative styles during this period. I听earnestly hope that a museum might be able to acquire this remarkable bracelet and听enable the public to enjoy seeing it and learning the new stories that will be told as a听result of its further study.鈥�

The decision on the export licence application for the torc will be deferred for a period ending听on 3 November 2024 inclusive. At the end of the first deferral period owners will have a听consideration period of 15 Business Days to consider any offer(s) to purchase the torc at the听recommended price of 拢45,000 (Plus VAT). The second deferral period will commence听following the signing of an Option Agreement and will last for three months.

Notes to editors

1. Organisations or individuals interested in purchasing the Bracelet should contact the RCEWA 02072680534 or rcewa@artscouncil.org.uk .
2. Details of the Bracelet are as follows: Plied and twisted gold bracelet. The form is that of a simple twisted torc created from two wires twisted and plied together with a single, round, looped terminal at either end. This is a fine and well-preserved example of a personal ornament particular to Britain in the late first millennium BC during a period conventionally described as the Iron Age. Gold alloy. Composition listed in the application is 97% gold. 72mm. Weight: 157.5g. Length along bracelet from end of one terminal to the other: 287mm.
3. Provenance: London art market. Antiquities; Christie鈥檚, London, 7 December 1994, lot 172. Sold at Christie鈥檚, London, 5 July 2023, lot 55.
4. The Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest is an independent body, serviced by the Arts Council (ACE), which advises the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on whether a cultural object, intended for export, is of national importance under specified criteria.