Κελτικό Ασημί Pendant, Εξαιρετικά σπάνιο αρχαίο φυλακτό-ταλιμάν, 2ος–1ος αιώνας π.Χ. - 25 mm (χωρίς τιμή ασφαλείας)

Exceptionally Rare Ancient Celtic Silver Amulet Talisman, 2nd–1st Century BC

An exceptionally rare ancient Celtic silver amulet of a highly unusual form featuring two rings, immediately distinguishing it from known Late Iron Age sacred objects. Unlike the far more common bronze examples, amulets crafted in silver are extremely scarce and were almost certainly intended for individuals of elevated social or ritual status.

The amulet is covered with a beautiful, stable, centuries-old patina, naturally formed through time and ritual use. It is preserved in excellent archaeological condition.

• Material: Silver with a rich ancient patina
• Size: 25 × 17 mm
• Condition: Excellent; wearable; noble traces of age
• Origin: Western / Central Europe
• From: An old private collection
• Shipping: EU only

Samhain and the Sacred Meaning of the Amulet

This amulet dates to the Late Iron Age and is closely associated with beliefs surrounding Samhain, one of the most significant moments of the Celtic ritual calendar — a liminal threshold when the worlds of the living and the spirits were believed to draw near, and the old year gave way to the new.

Samhain was understood not as a celebration, but as a dangerous and powerful boundary, requiring protection, knowledge, and ritual awareness.

Why the Amulet Has Two Rings Instead of Three

Unlike tripartite Celtic forms, this amulet is based on a dual cosmological concept, reflecting Samhain specifically as a moment of transition, rather than a continuous cycle:

The upper ring represents the world of the living — ordered, bounded, and protected by clan and tradition.

The lower ring symbolizes the Otherworld — the realm of ancestors and spirits, fluid, potent, and unpredictable.

Samhain is not a triadic state, but a passage between two worlds.
The deliberate absence of a third element is meaningful: the wearer becomes the third element, standing between the rings and embodying the threshold itself.

Form and Apotropaic Function

The projecting elements at the sides may be interpreted as stylized flames or protective markers, reinforcing the amulet’s apotropaic (warding) function. The strong vertical symmetry emphasizes balance between worlds, while the lower projection acts as a stabilizing anchor, protecting the wearer from the destabilizing forces of the Otherworld.

This is not a reproduction, but an authentic ancient artifact.
Celtic silver amulets of this form, symbolism, and state of preservation are exceedingly rare, far surpassing standard bronze counterparts in status and desirability.

A powerful relic of Celtic spiritual belief and an exceptional addition to any serious collection of ancient antiquities.