This beautiful gold torc dating from the Iron Age (400 – 250 BCE) was found while metal detecting in 2019. The exciting discovery was soon overshadowed by the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. It was officially declared an item of Treasure and valued late last year.

The ’near Pulborough’ Iron Age gold torc is of local, regional and national significance, a fact which led to the Society declaring an interest in pursuing acquisition and to purchase the torc. We have already received pledges from a number of national funding organisations and now seek £2,200 of local funding to secure this important part of Sussex heritage for future generations.

Emma O’Connor, the Society’s Museums Officer said: “The acquisition of the Iron Age gold torc is important for our visitors and communities, it is vital to make this culturally and archaeologically significant object available in the county of its discovery.”

To support the appeal click on the button opposite, which will take you to an external Crowdfunder page.

The Iron Age gold torc is in fact two fragments forming approximately half of the original whole piece. The torc has been broken roughly in half and then a further break has occurred. There is no evidence of a blow to the torc, and there are no signs of attempted ‘repairs’ to the broken ends. It is possible that the damage was caused by farming activity, such as ploughing while the piece was buried, or indeed the breaks may have been deliberate.

The torc has what is known as a buffer-shaped terminal and is decorated with gold wire. The fine gold wire has been twisted into shape and applied, in a simple filigree design, around the buffer terminal and at the centre of the neck tube. The buffer terminals would have been worn to the front of the neck and the connecting tube would pass around the nape of the neck. For whoever wore this it would have been a significant and highly valuable item, it is without doubt a ‘statement piece’.

The neck tube and buffer terminal are hollow, the piece has been made by bending or rolling a sheet of gold, possibly around a pattern or form, into the required shape. By viewing the torc under a microscope it is possible to see that solder has been carefully applied to join the seams and intricate filigree decoration.

The condition of the gold torc is extremely good, although under closer microscopic inspection it is possible to see faint scratches and some areas of flattening. However, these may well have occurred during the processes of making and shaping, through wear and tear or could be the result of damage prior to discovery.

There are other gold Iron Age torcs recorded in the country and the ‘near Pulborough’ torc displays some technical and stylistic features found on other Iron Age gold work found in England, Scotland and Ireland and as well as some Continental European examples. These features are found within a broad time period from the sixth to first century BCE. There are three examples of gold torcs reported through the Portable Antiquities Scheme, including the Caistor torc from Lincolnshire and two Leekfrith torcs, from Staffordshire. All three have buffer terminals but all have solid gold bodies.

Buffer terminal torcs, of bronze as well as gold, are seen in Continental European examples, including some with hollow tubes. These gold torcs have been dated to the fourth to early third century, c.400 – 250 BCE. Similarly, the filigree style decoration has been found on Continental European torcs, but by comparison the applied decoration on the ‘near Pulborough’ gold torc is much simpler in design.

The acquisition of the Iron Age gold torc is important for our visitors and communities, it is vital to make this culturally and archaeologically significant object available in the county of its discovery.

Recognising the importance of the ‘near Pulborough’ Iron Age gold torc the Society declared an interest in pursuing acquisition and to purchase the torc. The purchase price of the gold torc is £16,000 (this is the value determined by the Treasure Valuation Committee). The Society has made successful grant applications to the Art Fund, the Arts Council England / Victoria and Albert Purchase Grant Fund and The Headley Trust Museums Archaeological Acquisition Fund and has been awarded £13,800 towards the total purchase price. As a condition of support for the purchase the grant bodies require that the remaining £2,200 of the cost is met through local fundraising – leading to the launch of the Sussex torc appeal.

The Society is therefore asking Members to support the purchase of the torc and will be grateful for donations to the acquisition fund so that the Iron Age gold torc can be secured and displayed in the county of its discovery. If you would like any further information, please do contact Emma O’Connor, Museums Officer at Barbican House or by email emmaoconnor@sussexpast.co.uk.

By cheque – Send a cheque directed to Emma O’Connor, Museums Officer, Barbican House, 169 High Street, Lewes BN7 1YE. Do please Gift Aid your donation if you are able to because this increases the value of your gift by 25%.

We look forward to reporting on the successful purchase of the Iron Age gold torc and thank you in anticipation of your generous support.