61. Dacian gold bracelet, decorated with spirals, end of the Bronze Age - beginning of the Iron Age, approx. XII - IX century B.C., museum piece [epoca Hallstatt]

A bracelet made of solid gold bar, with a quadrangular section and tapered and rolled ends in the shape of a loop. The decor is accomplished through hot twisting of the metal - the metal was rotated around its own longitudinal axis, resulting in a spiral decoration. The ends have been beaten and elongated, hence the round section, then the flat terminations of the piece. Light signs of wear on the surface (result of the time spent in the ground), without deep deterioration of the piece. The piece is quite substantial for this type of bracelet. Frequent analogies in silver and bronze. The piece falls into the category of adornments with a practical role. Unlike other, more spectacular examples (such as the massive bracelets on display today at the MNIR), but with a role of treasure, this specimen is part of the costume elements associated with the Geto-Dacian elite, both male and female.

Dimensions

weight 24 g, custom d=9 cm

Description

gold

Research information

The object, although not illustrated, has become known in the specialized literature through its publication in 2014, in the Archeological Repertoire of Arges county (point 125): "On the territory of the locality, a gold bar bracelet, twisted, with a "eye with hook" type clasp was accidentally discovered before 2005, probably dating from the beginning of the first Iron Age. Max. diameter 9.2 cm, weight 23.4 g. It remained in the possession of the discoverer's heirs." The artifact represents a rare discovery for the geographical area of Muntenia and the referenced chronological period. No direct analogies are known for the current territory of Romania. However, a series of approximate similarities can be mentioned with pieces - dating from the final period of the Bronze Age - from older collections of museums in Transylvania (for example Oradea - The Museum of Cris Country or Cluj - The National Museum of Transylvania) or those part of the treasure of Hinova, dating from the beginning of the first Iron Age (in the collection of the National Museum of Romanian History). Bibliography: Dr. Mandescu, I. Dumitrescu, M. Paduraru, "Archaeological Repertoire of Arges County", Braila, 2014, p. 77 (ref. Costesti). And for relative analogies of the artifact: C. Ghemis, "A Gold Bracelet from the Collection of the Museum of Cris Country", Crisia 29, 1999, p. 277 - 281; H. Ciugudean, "The Gold Pieces from the Cugir I Deposit and Their Relationship with the Metrological Systems of the Late Bronze", Apulum 47, 2010, p. 23 - 40.

Dating

epoca Hallstatt

PROVENANCE

The bracelet originates from Costești, Argeș county, from a private collection inherited maternally over 6 generations. According to family accounts, Neacșu R. Ilie and Neacșu Rada left it to their daughter Catrina Caterina, who subsequently left it to her daughter Catrina Ioana, the great-grandmother of the current holder. It was taken into account and offered in 2007 by the National History Museum of Romania, according to the official report.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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