During the digging of a well in 1747, workmen turned up a bronze collar and two bronze armlets. These were buried some seven feet down, but were probably cast into a spring as a votive offering to the Gods, as was customary in the early years AD.
The collar measures 19.4cm by 18cm (7.65 ins by 7.05ins), excluding the hinge and pin. The maximum width of the metalwork is 4.0cm (1.0ins). It is made of tooled or engraved and beaten bronze, in two parts with a simple hinge joining the halves. It is decorated with panels and running scrolls, and is in almost perfect condition. From its style and craftsmanship, it is thought to have originated in a West Midlands workshop which was in existence during the early part of the second century AD.
The Stichill Collar is held at the National Museum of Scotland - see https://bit.ly/2CARuFd
The two armlets were made of cast bronze. One was in excellent condition with a black glossy surface, the other broken with only a half remaining. This half has since disappeared; its wherabouts unknown. The remaining armlet measures 11.4cm (4.5ins) at its widest. It tapers to the ends - 8.2cm (3.25ins) and in the centre is only 5cms (2ins) across. It weighs 1lb 5ozs. Cast in one piece, there are the signs of chisel marks on the underside, perhaps from cleaning up after the moulding process. The surface decoration is neatly executed - there may have been enamel or glass inlaid into the surface depressions. There is no trace of any rivets.
The Stichill Armlet is held at the National Museum of Scotland - see https://bit.ly/2D1Kl0j
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If you wish to see the Collar and Armlet please contact the National Museums of Scotland, Department of Archaeology, York Buildings, Queen Street, Edinburgh EH2 1JD.
As they are not presently on display (2000), prior arrangement to see them is necessary.