Ave!

Brooch, La Tène III type, Celtic,1st Cent BC

Copper alloy; 65mm/8.2gm

Con/ Missing spring pin, otherwise, As Cast/Fabricated; fantastic glossy green patina

Ref/ Not listed in Hattatt

Seller's Note/ As seen in the photo, the Celtic craftsman who created this brooch knew his business. We have never presented one similar with such remarable engravings. If the spring pin was still attached this would easily valued at $300

La Tène was the second phase of European Iron Age and Celtic culture (c. 480 - 50 B.C.). It takes its name from an archaeological site on the north side of Lake Neuchâtel in Switzerland, where thousands of objects deposited in the lake were discovered after the water level dropped in 1857. Le Tène culture replaced the Hallstatt culture after Greek and Etruscan influences. The La Tène culture was the height of Celtic power and was characterized by hill forts, elaborated rich burials and skilled craftsman. The Le Tène Celts were highly war-like, hierarchically organized with kings, a priestly class (the Druids), warriors, farmers and slaves. They ruled central Europe in the 4th and 3rd centuries B.C., but by 50 B.C. they had been defeated and were dominated by Germans coming from the north and Romans from the south.