Celtic Mystic Winged Earrings

Celtic winged earrings reproduced from a Somerset find, with the distinctive design and surviving surface detail individually hand cast in Leeds.

Crafted for the Present:

• Museum-Quality Historical Reproduction: An exact historical reproduction cast from the original British find, preserving its surviving openwork form and surface detail.
• Individually Hand-Cast in Leeds: Individually hand-cast and finished at our Leeds Corn Exchange workshop.
• Approved and Hallmarked: Approved and hallmarked by the London Assay Office in the precious metal selected.

The History of the Find:

Period: Celtic attribution

Find Location: Somerset, UK

Style: Zoomorphic openwork

Significance of the Design:

This piece features flowing curvilinear lines associated with La Tène-influenced Celtic art. The form appears to suggest a stylised bird or winged creature in flight. In Celtic mythology birds, particularly water birds and birds of prey, were often associated with movement between the physical and spiritual worlds.

The openwork circle or eye may originally have served as a point of suspension or may have held a contrasting material such as enamel or coral. The precise use of the original object is uncertain, but its form has been compared with decorative mounts, harness fittings and fragments of larger ceremonial objects. In the watery landscape of Celtic Somerset, a winged or bird-like image may also have carried ideas of protection or safe passage.

The Find:

Discovered by a metal detectorist in Somerset, the object may have belonged to communities associated with the Durotriges or Dobunni cultural regions. The surviving fragment retains an aged green patina and traces of its original casting. Wear to the internal edges suggests that it may once have formed part of a moving or suspended assembly.

Adapted as Jewellery:

British Historical Jewellery has preserved the surviving form of the original find and adapted it into a wearable pair of earrings.

Weight by Metal (approximate):

• Sterling Silver (925): 6.4g
• 9ct Gold: 6.9g
• 18ct Gold: 9.5g
• Platinum: 12.8g

Explore the design

Read about Celtic jewellery found in Britain and browse our Celtic jewellery. See how each reproduction is individually hand cast in Leeds.