Martingale of enamelled bronze

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A martingale is a harness strap that runs from the reins to the girth of a horse, and prevents the animal from rearing its head. This enamelled bronze example was found in a hoard at Wooden at Eckford in Roxburghshire. It was made in east central England.

The martingale is in very good condition, preserving much of the enamel.

The Wooden hoard contained both Roman and native metalwork. This object is native. It could have arrived in Scotland by various means - as a gift between native leaders, or (perhaps less likely) as a possession of an English recruit to the Roman army.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-034-953-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.DWA 1
• Date: Between 80 and 150 AD
  
• Material: Bronze?; rectangular centre; two straight arms; enamelled
  Cheek piece
  
• Dimensions: 4.25" W
  
• What: Cheek piece
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Roxburghshire, Eckford, Wooden
  
• Event:
• Description: Cheek-piece, possibly of bronze, from Wooden, Eckford
  
• References:
  • MacGregor, Morna. Early Celtic art in North Britain. Leicester: Leicester University Press, 1976, vol. 1, pp 38, 60, 182-3; vol. 2, no. 45. 
• Translations:
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