Vessel (pieces)

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These pieces of a bronze vessel or small cauldron were found at Gullunge in East Lothian. Such cauldrons were expensive and prestigious items, presumably used in feasts given by important leaders.

The pieces are made of sheet bronze. Remains of rivet holes are visible at the top, where the rim would have been attached. On cauldrons of this type, the rims were usually of iron.

Feasting was one form of conspicuous consumption, designed to show off the power, wealth and status of the giver. Some cauldrons were also buried as gifts to the gods, probably symbolic of food and feasting.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-326-058-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.1992.37
• Date: 100 BC - 200 AD
  Between 100 BC and 200 AD
  
• Material: Bronze
  Vessel / cauldron / fragment
  
• Dimensions: 320 mm max L
  
• What: Vessel / cauldron / fragment
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, East Lothian, Gullane
  
• Event:
• Description: Fragments of a sheet copper alloy vessel, or small cauldron, from Gullane, East Lothian
  
• References:
  • MacGregor, Morna. Early Celtic Art in North Britain. Leicester University Press, 1976 Vol. 1, pp 150 - 1 
  • MacGregor, Morna. Early Celtic art in North Britain. Leicester: Leicester University Press, 1976, vol. 1, pp 150-1. 
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