Record

Bracelet of bronze

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found at Culbin Sands, Moray

Postcard of Bracelet of bronze.
000-190-001-150-C
© National Museums Scotland

Bracelet of bronze

This bronze bracelet, of a type known as a spiral or 'snake' bracelet, was found at Culbin Sands in Moray. It is a product of a local tradition of metalworking specific to the north-east of Scotland during the first two centuries AD.

The bracelet is in the form of a coiled double-headed serpent. The serpent's eyes have blue glass insets. Decorative enamel discs would probably have been set in the terminals of the mouth.

Eight bracelets of this type are known, all but one from Scotland, with most of these from the north-east. They were cast in straight rods, decorated in part with ribbing or grooves, with animal heads at the ends. The rods were then coiled into spirals.


Record details

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Online ID: 000-190-001-150-C
Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
Project: 0098: National Museums Scotland
Project description | View all records in project
Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.FA 89
Date: 1st or 2nd century
Between 0 and 200 AD
Material: Bronze, blue glass; in the form of a coiled double-headed serpent
Dimensions:
What: Armlet
Subject:
Who:
Where: Scotland, Moray, Dyke and Moy, Culbin Sands
Event:
Description: Bronze armlet in the form of a coiled double-headed serpent with blue glass eyes, from Culbin Sands, Moray, 1st or 2nd century AD
References:
  • MacGregor, Morna. Early Celtic art in North Britain. Leicester: Leicester University Press, 1976, vol. 1, pp 103-5; vol. 2, no. 214. 
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