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Ruth Garrido Vila

A deeply symbolic ancient bronze amulet, composed of three distinct elements and presented as a wearable pendant. This evocative piece can be interpreted within the spiritual traditions of the Celtic world, where fire, home, and continuity formed the foundation of life and belief.

The upper loop may be seen as the symbol of the sacred ember—the smoldering coal carried from ritual fires. In Celtic tradition, especially during Samhain, the end-of-harvest festival marking the transition into the darker half of the year, great fires were lit on elevated ground. From these fires, protective embers were taken and brought into the home hearth, believed to carry divine protection and renewal for the coming year.

At the center, the perfectly formed circular ring represents eternity and the unbroken cycle of life—a universal symbol found across ancient cultures, reflecting continuity, unity, and the enduring bond of family.

The lower structure may be understood as a stylized representation of the hearth, the sacred heart of the home. In Celtic belief, the hearth was not only a place of warmth and nourishment, but also a spiritual center, guarded by ancestral forces and protective energies.

Together, these three elements form a powerful symbolic composition:

The sacred ember (protection from the gods)
The eternal circle (continuity of life)
The hearth (home, family, and safety)

Worn as an amulet, this piece can be seen as embodying the idea of eternal protection over the household, guarding both the wearer and their loved ones—just as the Samhain fire once protected entire communities.

The surface shows a rich, naturally developed patina in earthy bronze tones with subtle green oxidation, enhancing its authenticity and ancient character.

Ancient bronze amulet, circa 1st millennium AD
Interpreted within Celtic / early medieval symbolic tradition
Three-part composition: ember – eternity – hearth
Strong apotropaic (protective) meaning
Linked to Samhain fire rituals and household protection
Beautiful aged patina and wearable form

While the exact original function may have differed, the form of this piece lends itself strongly to interpretation as a protective amulet, reflecting ancient beliefs surrounding fire, continuity, and the safeguarding of the home.

A rare and meaningful object—more than an ornament, it is a symbol of warmth, protection, and the eternal bond of family, echoing the sacred fires that once united and protected entire communities.

Circa 1st Millennium AD

Celtic Protective Pendant - Bronze Amulet  (No reserve price)

Archaeology

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Closing date

Tuesday

25 October

tomorrow

Thursday

Friday

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30 October

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28 October

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31 October

Location

The Netherlands

Spain

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Material

Bronze

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Fair condition -  heavily used & with possibly minor parts missing

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Natural

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Period

2020+

1960-1970

1970-1980

1950-1960

1980-1990

1850-1900

Paleogene, Eocene (56 - 33.9 million years)

Cretaceous, Lower (145 - 100.5 million years)

1800-1850

15th century

Tang Dynasty (618-907)

1940-1950

1910-1920

1930-1940

1920-1930

Quaternary, Pleistocene (2.58 - 0.0117 million years)

1600-1650

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Certification

No laboratory report

Non-CITES species

Fineness

9 kt.

18 kt.

Subject

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Style

Ancient Roman

Ancient Egyptian

Archaeology

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Celtic Protective Pendant - Bronze Amulet (No reserve price)

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