ON THE TORC OF THE CELTS.
In returning to the subject of the torques, which want of space compelled me to abridge in the preceding number of the Journal, I would add to the funicular types there mentioned the following: a small torques of gold, fabricated of a thin lamina of metal rudely twisted, the ends terminating cylindrically, with a conical apex. This weighs 169.3 grs. and is 5916 in diameter. A singular bronze funicular torques, the ends terminating in points, and each having a kind of elastic springing ring over them, with two elastic armlets, and two circlets nearly of the same type, and a hatchet blade, were all found in a low tumulus at Hollingbury[1], and were formerly in Dr. Mantell's collection. The German graves have also occasionally offered specimens of this type, found at Braunfels, and Wiesbaden[2]. Others from the Siebenburgen resembling those on the necks of the Pannonian reguli, Pinnes, and Bato, on the celebrated cameo of Vienna, exist in the collections at the same place[3].
Another funicular torques of sufficient diameter to have probably been a girdle, was found in a tumulus[4] two miles eastward of Com Bots, weighing 2oz. 1 dwt. I learn from the obliging information of Sir Philip Egerton, that another, similar to this and the Harlech torc, was found at Fridd Gilfachwydd, a turbary, near the Black Rock, under Cader Idris, in Merionethshire, and is now in the possession of Sir Watkyn Williams Wynn, at Wynnstay; and that a monster torc of this description was found at Yscieviog near Holywell, in Flintshire, lying on the limestone rock when the superficies had been removed. This latter was not so deeply grooved in the twist[5]; it contained gold to the value of one hundred guineas; and is now in the possession of the Marquess of Westminster. The girdle, or lumbar size, is generally funicular. The British Celts, it will be remembered, according to the description of Herodian, wore iron torcs round their necks or loins, which they prized as much as other barbarians did gold; and these may be very probably the annuli ferrei ad certum pondus
- ↑ Formerly in the possession of Dr. Mantell. See Descript. of his collection, 8vo. London, 1836, p. 39, where a woodcut of all the objects found is given.
- ↑ Wagener, Handbuch, p. 147. fig. 171.
- ↑ Das K. K. Münz-und Antiken, Cabinet beschrieben von Joseph Arneth, 8vo. Wien. 1845, s. 47, cf. s. 92.
- ↑ Described by Mr. Jabez Allies, Archæologia, vol. xxx. p. 460.
- ↑ Archæologia, vol. xxx. p. 459, 490.
