‘Terret’ rings are metal loops that were
once fitted on to chariots to help guide the reins from
the horses to the driver. They helped prevent the reins
from different horses from getting tangled, making it easier
to control.
Because it was expensive to feed and maintain the horses
needed to pull a chariot, these vehicles belonged to
wealthy members of Iron Age society. The fittings used
on chariots, like terrets, were often decorated with
enamel, and this example is particularly colourful being
decorated with ‘platforms’ containing enamelled
flowers. It was found in a hoard of metalwork discovered
by a metal-detectorist.
Remarkably, this terret is identical to another found in
a hoard at Saham Toney in 1838, which was donated to Norwich
Castle by the Rev W Grigson. The obvious conclusion is
that the two terrets, found 150 years and 14 miles apart,
were made by the same person. |
