is this a torc or a draw handle

[nigel meakin]

Hi all it's been awhile hope everyone is ok
Was out a couple of months back and found this
Only 5cms across made of brass or gold lol
Any ideas
Cheers Nigel

[Val Beechey]

Have you thought to show it to your local FLO.   It could be bronze and made for a childs wrist. 

Wishful thinking or what,  you never know.

[nigel meakin]

Hi Val yep he threw it back to me saying it was a draw handle
I disagree
A draw handle wouldn't have trumpet ends
Cheers Nigel

[Val Beechey]

This might be an answer Nigel.  I assume they were made in many sizes and weights other than the ones mentioned here.
Some further research could throw more light on it.

http://usslave.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/manila-african-money-of-slave-trade.html


Wiki give a good description as well.  Look at the 'European & Ethnographic'  section.


 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manillas#European_and_other_ethnographic_parallels

[celticspikey]

Hi Nigel, well I think we can get one thing cleared up, it's not Gold mate that would come out of the grounds just as it was deposited, it looks brass judging by the slight damage where you have nicked it with the spade....it happens we've all done it. I got to say it certainly has torc type ends and I can see where your coming from albeit very small ( child like) as I am replying Val has just posted re Manila ? The ones I have seen are usually solid yours look hollow and of thin construction judging by the dent, I'm going with a more modern construction so may be well be some type of furniture construction.....Spikey

[Jeff The Wizard]

Looks to be of solid construction to me Mr Spikey  although these Bangles do come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

[Val Beechey]

There is one possible way to settle the question.  Contact the British Museum by EMail  Include the weight, size, metal and place of find with photo and hope you get an answer.

EMail........prehistoryandeurope@britishmuseum.org   

        or         info@finds.org.uk

The design is almost the same as Torcs found at  Milton Keynes, although they were gold, I would think 'lesser' chieftains may have made them in bronze.
These are the gold ones

[Chef Geoff]

As Paul says it looks brass and if so then it's modern(ish) and so I would also plum for furniture

[wagis]

Looking at it it looks solid but I would say brass and furniture sorry, but never mind our conjectures you still need a positive ID

[dingdong]

AH well,never mind,forever onwards matey !!!👍

[celticspikey]

Good advice dingdong, the main thing Nigel is you uncovered it, done some research handed it to your FLO , and you can still do as Val said mate so your story continues, if you want. Keep finding and posting mate it's all interesting.