Sun cross pendant Durrnberg, bronze

Product description

This ritual sun ornament is based on an original from the Celtic Hallstatt period (800-450 BC), found on the Dürrnberg together with a 16 cm long, richly decorated bronze ax blade. The top forms a solar cross and probably symbolized the sun cult; the point decorations may be a further development of cupstone motifs from the Copper Age. The function of the separate parts at the bottom is unclear, but they may have had a ritual role, just like similar parts on the rods of Old Norse völvas. The grave in which this ornament was found (grave 88) may have belonged to a Celtic aristocrat — in this culture, politics and religion were closely intertwined.

Performed in bronze, with a height including bumblebees of 9.4 cm.