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Torque (Neck Ring), ca. 600 B.C.; Late Bronze Age
Scandinavian
Copper alloy; Diam. 8 1/4 in. (21 cm)
Purchase, Nathaniel Spear Jr. Gift, 1987 (1987.395)

The design of this torque is deceptive. It appears to be wrapped with a wide, flat wire that changes direction six times. In fact, the complex pattern has been cut into the metal. Although it is not known where this object was found, torques such as this have been discovered in peat bogs where it is thought that they were cast as offerings to a god or goddess or as symbols of thanksgiving.


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    Torque (Neck Ring), ca. 600 B.C.; Late Bronze Age
    Scandinavian
    Copper alloy; Diam. 8 1/4 in. (21 cm)
    Purchase, Nathaniel Spear Jr. Gift, 1987 (1987.395)