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Extremely Rare Celtic Iron Age Therianthropic Quartzite Tallow-Lamp Double Bears:
$1022.46
Extremely Rare Celtic Iron Age Therianthropic Quartzite Tallow-Lamp – Double Bear Head Burners Executive Summary Presented here is a magnificent and exceptionally rare piece of insular Celtic sacred art: a Therianthropic, double-spouted oil and tallow-burning lamp carved from high-density iron-ridge quartzite. Recovered from an ancient paleo-channel bank in Northern Cambridgeshire, this masterwork bridges zoomorphic animism with practical ritual technology. Featuring twin open-mouthed bear-form burner spouts, spectacle eyes, and detailed fur-like body texturing, the vessel bears authentic carbonized residue from active use, capturing a vivid sensory link to Iron Age ritual practice. Material & Composition - Matrix & Mineralogy: Forged from an iron-ridge quartzite cobble, composed of approximately 90% high-purity quartz integrated with micro-crystalline pyrite inclusions. Carving and achieving high-relief zoomorphic plastic style modeling in high-density Mohs 7 quartzite - a material exceeding standard flint and iron in resistance - demanded extraordinary skill, specialized quartz-sand abrasive techniques, and dedicated flint-working or hardened iron chisels. The survival of such crisp, deliberate micro-sculpture in this unforgiving medium underscores the artisan\'s mastery of ancient lithic technology.
- Thermal & Physical Resilience: The dense, vitreous silica matrix provides exceptional thermal shock resistance, engineered specifically to withstand sustained high-heat combustion of animal fats and plant-based oils without cracking or degrading.
Geological Source & Provenance - Geological Origins: The raw cobble was deposited as a glacial erratic or transported via ancient outwash stream networks, likely originating from formations such as the Triassic Chester Formation in the East and West Midlands.
- Landscape Georeference: Recovered from approximate coordinates 52°30’21.84”N style=\"margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0;\">
- Contextual Discovery: Unearthed from a collapsed sand and peat ancient paleo-channel bank exposed following drought-associated bank collapse, situated one mile northeast of the foederati frontier garrison site at W Field on the Northern Cambridgeshire fen-edge.
Cultural Identity & Iconography - La Tène III & Plastic Style: The lamp exemplifies the dynamic plastic style associated with La Tène III iconography, characterized by bold volumetric modeling, flowing linear rhythms, and the seamless fusion of human and animal forms.
- Shamanic & Therianthropic Synthesis: The double-headed zoomorphic configuration merges animal vigor with human-like facial expressions, aligning with traditional Celtic zoomorphic art. As noted by leading Celtic scholar Professor Miranda Aldhouse-Green, animals in the Iron Age served as potent spiritual liminal entities, mediators between the mundane world and the chthonic realms.
- Chronological Horizon: Typological features and proximity to a documented contemporary settlement place the artifact firmly in the 2nd to 3rd century BC.
Physical Metrics Diagnostic Typology & Use-Wear Analysis - The Bear-Form Burner Spouts: The dual opposing spouts are sculpted in the likeness of the Eurasian Brown Bear (Ursus arctos arctos). While rare in the lowlands during this period, bear remains—including terminal phalanges constituting paws and claws—are securely recorded in high-status British ritual and cremation contexts (such as the Welwyn Garden City Iron Age burial context).
- Chanting Open Mouths & \"Breathing Fire\": The precise geological and glyptic shaping of the terminal spouts creates an open-mouthed grimace. When filled with tallow or oil and ignited, the wicks positioned within these apertures would literally cause the beast forms to \"breathe fire,\" creating a mesmerizing, living optical display in a dark sanctuary.
- Surface Texturing & Patination: The body of the vessel is meticulously worked with fine, hair-like incisions and stippled texturing simulating dense animal fur.
- Use-Wear & Residue: The interior bowl and spout perimeters display definitive carbonized soot deposits, thermal discoloration, and oil impregnation, proving this was an actively utilized ritual or domestic illumination tool rather than a votive model.
Aldhouse-Green, Miranda J. - Animals in Celtic Life and Myth. Routledge, 1992.
- Boudica: Britain\'s Queen of War. Pearson Longman, 2006.
- Caesar\'s Druids: Story of an Ancient Priesthood. Yale University Press, 2010.
- Iron Age Communities in Britain: An Account of England, Scotland and Wales from the Seventh Century BC to the Roman Conquest. 4th Edition, Routledge, 2005.
- The Ancient Celts. Penguin Books, 1997.
- Facing the Ocean: The Atlantic and Its Peoples, 800 BC-AD 1500. Oxford University Press, 2001.
General Reference material and further reading: Where possible ancient artefacts may be referenced to similar material observed in the following publications within my collection: - British Artefacts Vol.1, 2 and 3: Brett Hammond [Greenlight Publishing 2010]:
- Celtic & Roman Artefacts: Nigel Mills [Greenlight Publishing 2007]:
- SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome: Mary Beard [Profile Books 2015]:
- 50 Bronze Age Artefacts: Portable Antiquities Scheme: Dot Boughton [Amberley Publishing 2021]:
- Pottery in Britain 4000BC to AD 1900: Lloyd Laing [Greenlight Publishing 2003]:
- British Iron Age Coins In The British Museum: Richard Hobbs [British Museum 1996]:
- Swords of The Viking Age: Ian Peirce: [The Boydell Press 2003]:
Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society Volume 85: [Cambridge University Press 2019]. - Mesolithic Europe: Geoff Bailey / Penny Spikins [Cambridge University Press 2008]
- Viking Art: James Graham-Campbell: [Thames & Hudson, London 2018]
- Roman Coins Vol. 1, 2 & 3: David R Sear: [Spink London 2000]:
- The Roman Cavalry: Karen R. Dixon: [B. . Batsford 1997]:
- Amulets of Ancient Egypt: Carol Andrews: [University of Texas Press / British Museum Press 1994]:
The Uniforms of the Roman World: Military dress, weapons, artillery, ships, siege engines and fortifications: Kevin F. Killey: [Anness Publishing 2017]: Where possible finger rings may be referenced to similar material observed in the following publications within my collection: - Victorian and Albert Museum CATALOGUE OF FINGER RINGS 1930: C.C.Oman [Anglia Publishing. 1991 – Now out of print]:
- Finger Rings: Diana Scarisbrick / Martin Henig: [Ashmolean Museum Oxford. 2003]:
- Ancient Rings An Illustrated Collectors Guide: T. N. Polio: [McFarland & Co Inc. 2018:
- 1000 Rings: Inspiring Adornments of the Hand: Le Van, Marthe; Ebendorf, Robert [W: Lark Books 2004]:
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