The Celtic Penannular Bangle
Period: Iron Age (c. 300 BC – 50 AD)
Original Material: Copper Alloy
Find Location: North Wales
Style: Penannular (open-ended) rounded band
Significance of the Design:
The penannular design is perhaps the most iconic silhouette of the Celtic era. Unlike the rigid, closed circles of the Roman world, Celtic bangles and torcs were often open-ended, allowing them to be slightly adjusted or squeezed onto the wrist. This functionality was essential for a warrior-culture that prized mobility.
In North Wales – a stronghold for powerful tribes like the Ordovices – such bangles were more than just decoration. They were often gifted by tribal leaders to signify loyalty or to mark a young person’s transition into adulthood. The rounded, unadorned cross-section is typical of “daily wear” jewellery from this period; it was designed for durability and constant use, intended to survive the rigors of life in the Welsh hillforts.
The Find:
Discovered by a detectorist in the rugged landscape of North Wales, the original artifact carries a heavy, authentic patina – a mixture of deep earth-reds and copper-greens. The slight irregularities in the thickness of the band are a testament to the “blacksmith” nature of Iron Age jewellery making, where pieces were hand-hammered and pulled from glowing crucibles.
The Casting: This is an exact 1:1 cast of the original find. We have maintained the slight “organic” wobbles and the hand-finished terminals of the original to ensure the replica feels ancient to the touch.
Material: Available in Solid Sterling Silver, 9ct Gold.
Wearability: Because this is an exact cast of a found artifact, the “gap” in the penannular design is preserved. It is a solid, tactile piece that carries the weight and presence of a 2,000-year-old treasure.