Ipswich torcs

The body of this gold torc is made from twisted, fluted bars. Follow them towards the looped ends, where curves and raised bosses change the pattern. The maker gave the neck ring both a strong overall shape and small details to inspect close up. This example dates to about 150–50 BC. It belongs to the Iron Age torcs from Ipswich. The same place name is used for a later coin hoard, so the gold neck rings need to keep their own identity. A torc was an object worn around the neck, with its open ends forming a prominent part of the design. The torc entered the Museum through Treasure Trove. In the case, look at how the twisted body meets the more concentrated ornament at the ends. Those parts ask for different kinds of metalworking. The visible joins and changes of surface help you recognise a made object, with a sequence of workshop decisions behind its finished form.