RARE CELTIC CAGE PENDANT, 8TH-6TH CENTURY BC

These pendants were worn by Druids, the elite class of Celts, who were the intellectual, legal and spiritual leaders or priests. Their exact function is debated, but as the Celtic translation for Druid was “finder of the oak tree” it seems logical that they contained sacred herbal material from the oak forests which the Druids considered sacred. This example is 2 1/8” in height, of square section with spiked bars at the corners. It is bronze, professionally refurbished with the surface silvered as was likely the original. It is suspended from a polished leather neck cord for modern wear. It’s likely that more information on the spiritual function of these are objects will evolve through the information sharing power of the internet.