Iron Age duck mount

ITEM: Duck mount
MATERIAL: Silver
CULTURE: Iron Age, Celtic
PERIOD: 2nd Century B.C - 1st Century A.D
DIMENSIONS: 8 mm x 17 m
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex English private collection, Suffolk, acquired in U.K art market in 2015, before from English private collection, Kent.

Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export Licence. If you are from outside the European Union, we will have to apply for the export licence again for your country, this takes 4 to 6 weeks and has a cost of 5% of the amount of the sale, this amount will be added to the final invoice.

The Iron Age Celtic silver duck mount is a remarkable artifact that reflects the artistic and cultural sophistication of the Celtic peoples during the late Iron Age (around 500 BCE to the Roman conquest). The Celts, known for their intricate metalwork and symbolic art, often created decorative mounts and fittings for various objects, including weapons, chariots, and ceremonial items. The silver duck mount is an example of their skill in metalworking and their use of animal motifs, which were common in Celtic art, symbolizing various spiritual and cultural beliefs.

This silver duck mount likely served as a decorative piece, possibly attached to a ceremonial object such as a shield, helmet, or chariot. The duck itself holds symbolic significance in Celtic culture, often associated with water, fertility, and the otherworld. Waterfowl, like ducks, were believed to be creatures that could traverse both the earthly and spiritual realms, making them potent symbols of transition and connection between worlds. The use of silver, a precious metal, further indicates the mount's importance, suggesting it may have belonged to a person of high status, perhaps a chieftain or a warrior of significant rank.

The craftsmanship of the Celtic silver duck mount is notable for its detailed and stylized representation of the bird, reflecting the Celts' deep appreciation for nature and their ability to infuse symbolic meaning into their art. The design likely incorporated the flowing, curvilinear patterns typical of La Tène art, the dominant artistic style of the Celts during the Iron Age. This style is characterized by its intricate patterns and abstract forms, often inspired by natural elements.