torcs and Necklaces
The Celts were fond of adorning themselves
with various types of ornamentation. In general, the more elaborate the piece, the higher the status of the person wearing it.
TORC
One of the two most recognizable pieces of Celtic jewelry is the TORC. Worn around the neck, with the terminals or bosses facing the front, it was usually formed by three or more gold or silver strans, twisted together and formed into a broken circle. Each end would be capped by some sort of terminal or boss.
Though you may wonder how anyone could squeeze their neck through the tiny opening, it was really quite easy to put on. The metal is pliable, so the wearer would just pull the ends apart, place it around their neck, and push it closed again. Unfortunately, the wear and tear of opening and closing did take its toll. As a result, some torcs we find today are broken in half.
Photo by the British Museu (CC BY 2.0)
LUNULAR
The next piece of neckware we might find is the LUNULAR. A crescent shaped plate of metal, generally gold or silver. LIke the torc, it is capped on each end by a terminal or boss and that was meant to be worn in front.
Photo by John Maynard Friedman (CC0 1.0)
GORGET
The GORGET was an even more elaborate piece. Like the torc and lunular, it was capped by terminas or bosses that were meant to be worn across the wearers chest. It was much heavier then the lunular or torc, however, being hammered into shape from the inside and covered with extensive ornamentation.
Photo by By Martinvl - Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0)
BEADED NECKLACE
Of coure, there were other types of neckware as well, like this AMBER BEADED NECKLACE. Some beads would be made of precious gems like emeralds or "Kerry diamonds", while others might be fashioned from gold or silver beads.
Photo by By Martinvl - Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0)
BROOCHES
Brooches were worn by both men and women, not only for practical purposes but for adornment as well. In general, the more elaborate the brooch, the wealthier or more illustrious the wearer.
PENANNULAR BROOCH
The PENANNULAR BROOCH is probably the most recognizable of the Irish brooches, the most famous being the Tara brooch. After the pin is fastened to the material, it is passed through the opening in the ring and twisted so the pin is no longer by the opening.
Photo by Metropolitan Museum of Art (CC0 1.0)
FIBULA BROOCH
The FIBULA BROOCH is pretty much like a fancy safety pin. The pin is attached to the brooch by a hinge and after passing through the material, is closed and latched to secure it.
Photo by Justin Gawke - Hunt Museum (CC0 1.0)
SPIRAL HEAD PIN
The simplest form of brooch was a sort of straight pin. This one has a spiral head, but others had rings or other designs.
Photo by Walters Museum, Public Domain
PLATE BROOCH
A final kind of brooch waws this DISC OR PLATE BROOCH. Some might have two holes drilled toward the center so it could be attached to the wearer's clothing. This one , however has a small straight pin attached to the reverse side.
Photo by Walters Museum, Public Domain
bracelets and armlets
DRAGONHEAD TORC-LIKE BRACELET
Photo by Metropolitan Museum (CC0 1.0)
SPIRAL BRACELET
Photo by Metropolitan Museum (CC0 1.0)
GLASS BRACELET
Photo by Metropolitan Museum (CC0 1.0)
ARMLET
Photo by Metropolitan Museum (CC0 1.0)
rings
GOLD RING
Photo by Sandstein
(CC BY 3.0)
GOLD COILED RING
Photo by the Trustees of the British Museum
(CO BY SA 2.0)
TRISKELE RING
Photo by Metropolitan Museum (CC0 1.0)