1025 - Early Iron Age complex with various bronze ornaments, Southeastern Europe, 7th century B.C.

Early Iron Age complex with various bronze ornaments, Southeastern Europe, 7th century B.C. A complex of bronze ornaments that likely belong together, featuring types that largely fall within the spectrum of the so-called Graeco-Macedonian bronzes (Bouzek, Jan 1974: Graeco-Macedonian Bronzes. Prague). The striking presence of four clearly related pairs of ring ornaments, as well as the largely uniform surface finish, suggest that this is the largely complete set of metal adornments from an Early Iron Age costume, although individual elements clearly follow Late Bronze Age or Urnfield traditions (e.g., numbers 1–4 and 9 below). Specifically: 1–2) Pair of tall spiral arm rings with 15 coils (Bouzek Group 11.I.A) and incised decoration on the three upper and lower spiral coils. Height approx. 7 cm each, diameter approx. 6.5 cm each. 3-4) A pair of low spiral arm rings with 7 coils, without decoration. Height: approx. 2.5 cm each; diameter: approx. 6 cm each. 5-6) A pair of simple arm rings with 1 1/2 coils (Bouzek Group 11.1.B). The outer and inner sides are slightly curved, the outer side more so; distinct edges with a gentle transition at the top and bottom. Traces of incised decoration are visible on one end piece. Diameter: 7 cm each. 7-8) Pair of closed arm rings, 1.5 cm wide, slightly curved on the outside, with sharp edges and a rough concave groove on the inside. Diameter 7.5 cm. 9) An Early Iron Age brooch consisting of two spiral discs with ten windings each, connected in an S-shape and slightly conically raised in the center (Bouzek Group 12.A “spectacle brooches”). The end pieces pass through small openings in the center to the underside, where they are bent to form a pin catch and a pin holder. Iron oxides on the pin catch and pin holder indicate that the brooch was a two-part piece and that the separately manufactured pin was made of iron but is no longer preserved. Length 11.5 cm. 10–13) Three conical pendants, each with three rod-shaped clappers at the lower end (Bouzek Group 7.E “Macedonian Bell Pendants”). Profiled by ribs at the top below the eyelet; at the lower end of the cones, fine incised decoration consisting of horizontal lines; below this, three eyelets each for the movable clappers, which are profiled at the ends by constrictions. Length 12 cm (2x) and 9 cm. 14–15) Two decorative buttons in the shape of a paw-shaped cross with a ribbon-shaped passage on the back. On the front, circular eyes on the arms of the cross; in the center, a bump, which is stepped on one specimen. Width: 3.1 cm each. 16) Domed decorative button with five roundels along the edge (according to Bouzek, groups 13.E1–E3 begin with 6 roundels). Width 3.3 cm. 17) Three connected decorative buttons in the shape of paw-print crosses with outwardly rounded arms (Bouzek Group 13.F). Each of the three crosses has circular eyes in the center; on the back, they are all connected by a wide band. Between the band and the buttons are ridges, creating three loops. Length 5.4 cm. 18) Wheel-shaped pendant with a cross and four openwork holes in the center; on the outside, a wide band with circular eyes (Bouzek Group 13.B). No loop on the back. Width 5.5 cm. 19) Disc-shaped pendant with a central bulge, four small, almond-shaped cutouts, and two ribbon-shaped loops on the back. Width 4.2 cm. 20) Solid, double-conical bead with a beaded rim (Bouzek, Group 10.E2). Length 2.8 cm. 21) Unusual pendant with a slit on the front and two lateral perforations; its shape is reminiscent of the bird bodies found in other pendant groups, though it lacks a head and tail. The emphasis on the sides through holes or knobs is also present here. Length 4.5 cm. All pieces have a slightly rough surface due to oxide deposits and incrustations. CULTURAL HERITAGE! Provenance: Private collection in southern Germany, acquired in October 2012 from Hermann Historica, Auction 65, Lot 447. Previously in a private collection in Vienna. Condition: II -