The Snettisham Great Torc

Electrum torc with ornamented terminals. The torc is made from just over a kilogram of gold mixed with silver. It is made from sixty-four threads. Each thread is 1.9 mm wide. Eight threads were twisted together at a time to make eight separate ropes of metal. These were then twisted around each to make the final torc. The ends of the torc were cast in moulds. The hollow ends were then welded onto the ropes. The terminals are ornamented with embossed ridges, contrasting with areas filled by chased 'basket-work'.

The torc is on display in the major exhibitions on Celts at the British Museum and National Museum of Scotland:

Celts: art and identity
The British Museum
24 September 2015 – 31 January 2016
www.britishmuseum.org/celts

Celts
National Museum of Scotland
10 March – 25 September 2016
www.nms.ac.uk/celts

The Snettisham Great Torc has a permanent location at the British Museum in Room 50.