​The Celtic Penannular Bangle

Crafted for the Present:

• Museum-Quality Replica: An authentic 1:1 historical reproduction cast directly from the original British artifact.

• Bench-Made to Order: Hand-forged to your exact specifications at our Leeds Corn Exchange workshop. Preserving the past, forging the future.

• Guaranteed Authenticity: Independently tested and legally hallmarked by the UK Assay Office in your choice of Solid Silver, 9ct, or 18ct Gold.

The History of the Find:

​Period: Iron Age (c. 300 BC – 50 AD)

​Find Location: North Wales

Style: Penannular (open-ended) rounded band

Significance of the Design:

• The penannular design is perhaps the most iconic silhouette of the Celtic era. Unlike the rigid, closed circles of the Roman world, Celtic bangles and torcs were often open-ended, allowing them to be slightly adjusted or squeezed onto the wrist. This functionality was essential for a warrior-culture that prized mobility.

  ​In North Wales – a stronghold for powerful tribes like the Ordovices – such bangles were more than just decoration. They were often gifted by tribal leaders to signify loyalty or to mark a young person’s transition into adulthood. The rounded, unadorned cross-section is typical of “daily wear” jewellery from this period; it was designed for durability and constant use, intended to survive the rigors of life in the Welsh hillforts.

The Find: 

Discovered by a detectorist in the rugged landscape of North Wales, the original artifact carries a heavy, authentic patina – a mixture of deep earth-reds and copper-greens. The slight irregularities in the thickness of the band are a testament to the “blacksmith” nature of Iron Age jewellery making, where pieces were hand-hammered and pulled from glowing crucibles.

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