Ave!

Enigmatic Danubian Celt Large Silver Duck, ca. 1st Cent AD

Silver alloy; 28mm/9.4gm

Con/ A few old scratches, beak slightly chipped and terminal broken, otherwise, As Cast or is it?

Seller's Note/ We've NEVER seen such a large example and please note the end which features a somewhat rounded and broken terminal. At first look, we thought that rounded bit may have contained a spring for a brooch. Not! So, what was its purpose and/or its use?

No one really knows the purpose of these charming silver ducks, other the time and the era. The descriptions of the use for these are all over the place, from good luck charms, brooch attachments, hair pin finials, etc. Sadly, as none of these have ever been found actually attached to a hair pin or brooch, or anything else for that matter, their use still remains problematical.

But, as this truly ENIGMATIC example was attached to something possible made of metal, your guess is as good as ours! 

The best we can tell you is that these were produced by Danubian Celtic tribes.