Replica of a carnyx found at Deskford, Banffshire

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This is an accurate reconstruction of a carnyx, an Iron Age war trumpet. Made for the National Museums of Scotland by John Creed, it is based on an original bronze and brass carnyx head found at Deskford in Banffshire.

Shaped from sheet bronze and brass, the head resembles that of a wild boar, symbol of strength and fearlessness. The wooden tongue can move as the trumpet is played and carried.

Only the head survives of the original carnyx. The missing parts (the crest, ears and long tube) were reconstructed from other examples and pictures on Roman sculpture.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-103-272-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.1992.25
• Date: Between late 1st and 3rd century AD
  Original carnyx: Between 80 and 200 AD
  
• Material: Bronze and brass with enamel for eye inserts
  Carnyx / replica
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Carnyx / replica
  
• Subject:
• Who: John Creed (maker)
  
• Where: Scotland, Banffshire, Deskford
  
• Event:
• Description: Bronze and brass replica of the Deskford carnyx, with wooden tongue and enamel eye inserts, from Deskford, Banffshire, between late 1st and 3rd century AD
  
• References:
  • 'MOSAICS' multimedia programme NMS 1994 
  • Calder, Jenni (Ed.). The wealth of a nation in the National Museums of Scotland. Glasgow: Drew, Edinburgh: National Museums of Scotland, 1989, p 100.
• Translations:
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