Family jewels?

This is a very prestigious set of objects, Gallic torcs! These gold neck rings and arm rings are among the museum’s major artefacts. Everything about them is reminiscent of the ceremonial jewellery of a wealthy social class in the Toulouse region during the 3rd century BC.

Torcs (rigid necklaces) discovered in Fenouillet. Five torcs are visible, three at the top and two at the bottom. They were made from twisted and bent gold rods. — Ensemble de torques découvert à Fenouillet. Photo : Daniel Martin (Licence ouverte-Etalab).

These objects were not discovered in the same place, as the first five come from Fenouillet, North of Toulouse, the other two from Lasgraïsses in the Tarn region. Two places of origin, two ways of unearthing them. On the one hand by digging the Canal Latéral (Lateral Canal) of the Garonne River in 1841, and on the other hand by stumping up vine stocks in 1885. To top it all off, the artefacts from Fenouillet were found in a pot, while the artefacts from the Tarn region were found together with pottery and animal bones of all kinds: pig, ox, deer and even horse! Quite a story, after all.

Un torque (collier rigide) tubulaire en or et un brassard tubulaire en or découverts à Lasgraïsses. Le décor donne l'impression d'une guirlande de fleurs, aux bourgeons et fleurons à peine éclos, torsadée par un double ruban. — Bijoux découverts à Lasgraïsses. Photo : Daniel Martin (Licence ouverte-Etalab).

These objects were made by goldsmiths of exceptional technical skill, who may have worked in workshops in South-West Gaul. Made from almost pure gold coming from local water streams, these objects were worked with sheet metal or gold rods, finely twisted, meticulously crafted, conscientiously soldered and assembled. Indeed, you might not notice it at first, but the two artefacts from Lasgraïsses are hollow, unlike the others, the bangle of which was twisted and folded to be properly shaped. As for the decoration, it certainly reflects the influence of the best Greek craftsmen from Magna Graecia, in Southern Italy, between 500 and 300 BC.

In the Celtic world, the owners of these torcs wore them during parades, fights or prestigious banquets. They were symbols of both warlike and religious power. Depending on the period, both men and women wore these incredible ornaments. Sometimes they were found in graves with their owners, accompanying them to the other side. Why bury such objects, you ask? Well, their respective owners may have gifted them to the gods. Quite a gift indeed! But you know how it is, nothing comes for free! The gods need to receive gifts in order to listen to a request, and what better gift than a bangle? Because although they received jewels, the main thing they were given was a quantity of gold. Gold still holds great value for the gods.

TECHNICAL SHEET: THE TORQUES FROM FENOUILLET

Name

Penannular torc with buffers and clasp; penannular torc with sleeves, buffers and clasp; penannular torc with buffers and clasp; tubular torc with double clasp; penannular torc with sleeves, buffers and clasp.

Material

Gold

Place of discovery

Fenouillet (Haute-Garonne)

Manufacture date

3rd century BC

Inventory numbers

25049; 25047; 25048; 25045; 25046

Whereabouts

Permanent collection, 2nd floor

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Les torques (colliers rigides) découverts à Fenouillet. Cinq torques sont visibles, trois en haut et deux en bas. Ils sont fabriqués à l’aide de joncs en or torsadés et pliés. — Set of torcs discovered in Fenouillet. Photo: Daniel Martin (Open licence-Etalab).

TECHNICAL SHEET: JEWELLERY FROM LASGRAÏSSES

Name

Tubular neck with double clasp; arm ring.