Its Still Got Me Puzzled

[Silver Searcher]

It's Still Got Me Puzzled



I found this Gold piece on a detecting dig in Lincolnshire in 2004, it's solid Gold and has been shaped into a square wire then wrapped into a spiral. My thoughts is that it Saxon in origin, and possibly was used to wrap hair (hair decoration)
When I have posted this before, some folks thought that it might be Viking Hack Gold so I thought I would post it again for new people who haven't seen it, and might shed some thoughts on it

SS

 

[watercolor]

Re: It's Still Got Me Puzzled

VERY nice recovery. . .

Since this piece appears to be simply fashioned, my initial thought is it may have been fashioned to
"wrap" around a string of leather for safe-keeping and used for barter purposes. . . similar to the way
a "holed" coin might have been kept.

 

[Breezie]

Re: It's Still Got Me Puzzled

Hey SS, very nice find! I don't know how it was used, but it's a beautiful piece of gold! Breezie

 

[Dano Sverige]

Re: It's Still Got Me Puzzled

Could be a piece used by a goldsmith for making or adding to jewelery?(from any period). Could be anything really mate.

 

[PChammer]

Re: It's Still Got Me Puzzled

Could be a damaged earring or Celtic? ...

http://cache1.bigcartel.com/product_images/33607556/017.gif

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4071/4298753802_2c4c480ba1_o.jpg

http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.21034257.jpg

http://www.fantasy-jewelry.com/product_images/c/183/CELT-51__26181_zoom.jpg

Some Roman earrings...

http://edgarlowen.com/b5746.jpg

http://www.edgarlowen.com/b183.jpg

Finally...

http://rookery9.aviary.com.s3.amazonaws.com/6995000/6995180_af5c_625x1000.jpg

Boy is she gonna be ticked, better give it back...

 

[DirtDigler]

Re: It's Still Got Me Puzzled

I seem to recall that gold chains were often utilized as currency. Links being broken off as needed for barter or purchase. Looks like it tapers on one end leading me to wonder if it was stretched to the breaking point.

 

[Silver Searcher]

Re: It's Still Got Me Puzzled

VERY nice recovery. . .

Since this piece appears to be simply fashioned, my initial thought is it may have been fashioned to
"wrap" around a string of leather for safe-keeping and used for barter purposes. . . similar to the way
a "holed" coin might have been kept.

Yep that could be another...thanks for the reply

Could be a damaged earring or Celtic? ...

http://cache1.bigcartel.com/product_images/33607556/017.gif

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4071/4298753802_2c4c480ba1_o.jpg

http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.21034257.jpg

http://www.fantasy-jewelry.com/product_images/c/183/CELT-51__26181_zoom.jpg

Some Roman earrings...

http://edgarlowen.com/b5746.jpg

http://www.edgarlowen.com/b183.jpg

Finally...

http://rookery9.aviary.com.s3.amazonaws.com/6995000/6995180_af5c_625x1000.jpg

Boy is she gonna be ticked, better give it back...

Some look similar good links

Could be a piece used by a goldsmith for making or adding to jewelery?(from any period). Could be anything really mate.

Proberbly never get the correct ID Dano

Hey SS, very nice find! I don't know how it was used, but it's a beautiful piece of gold! Breezie

Cheers Breezie

 

[Silver Searcher]

Re: It's Still Got Me Puzzled

I seem to recall that gold chains were often utilized as currency. Links being broken off as needed for barter or purchase. Looks like it tapers on one end leading me to wonder if it was stretched to the breaking point.

Yes they were, I don't think this was part of a chain though, the curl is to uniformed, and was purposely made

SS

 

[AU Seeker]

Re: It's Still Got Me Puzzled

Well this is just my first impression, and I don't know anything about Saxon gold, but it looks like the large end was attached at some point and the small end doesn't, when I looked at all the photos the only thing I could see was a ram's horn, it could be a piece broken off of a gold sculpture of a ram.

But anyway it does sure look very nice and I would like to own it!!!

Just out of curiosity what is the weight of the "horn"?


Skip

 

[Silver Searcher]

Re: It's Still Got Me Puzzled

Well this is just my first impression, and I don't know anything about Saxon gold, but it looks like the large end was attached at some point and the small end doesn't, when I looked at all the photos the only thing I could see was a ram's horn, it could be a piece broken off of a gold sculpture of a ram.

But anyway it does sure look very nice and I would like to own it!!!

Just out of curiosity what is the weight of the "horn"?


Skip

It weighs 3.9 grams

SS