Desborough mirror, Celtic mirror necklace in sterling silver

This sterling silver pendant is a faithful replica of the decoration of the famous Desborough mirror, a Celtic artifact discovered in the early 20th century in Northamptonshire, England. It was found isolated, buried in a field with no associated structures or objects, which remains a mystery for archaeologists.

This mirror, made of polished bronze, is dated between 50 BCE and 50 CE, a transitional period marked by cultural exchanges between the Celtic peoples and the emerging Roman Empire. Unlike purely utilitarian mirrors, this one features a richly ornamented reverse, characteristic of the so-called Insular La Tène style – a regional variant of the second Iron Age found in the British Isles. This style is distinguished by its fluid and dynamic compositions, made up of interlaced curves, spiral motifs, and abstract symbolic forms.

To create this pendant, we chose to interpret the reverse of the mirror, whose intricate motifs include the lyre loop with lateral spirals, the simple lyre loop, and the so-called empty trumpet motif — all typical of Celtic decorative patterns. These elements are textured and arranged to play with contrasts between filled and empty spaces, thus evoking the very function of a mirror, where inverted shapes create a dual perception of reality. According to some experts, this visual mise en abyme could have a symbolic or ritualistic dimension, linked to Celtic beliefs about perception, the inverted world, or transitions between realities.

Today, only 26 mirrors of this type are known, all found in England, making them a specifically insular production. The Desborough mirror is considered the most remarkable of them, both for the delicacy of its ornamentation and its exceptional state of preservation. It stands as a major example of Celtic metalwork and a precious witness to the technical and symbolic sophistication of these personal items, which may have belonged to women of high rank or had a ritual function.

Acquired by the British Museum in 1924, it is now part of the iconic collections of British Celtic heritage and continues to inspire artists, historians, and creators.

Metal: 925 sterling silver

Cord length: approximately 90 cm

Dimensions: approximately 4.2 cm x 4 cm

Production time: 5 business days before shipping your order

As we currently dwell in Mexico, provide a period of 3 to 6 weeks to receive your order for free with normal post service. Thank you for taking this information into account before ordering in our shop. At checkout, you will also have the option of choosing an express shipping. (please, read the complete conditions of shipping here).

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I hope you will love this jewel as much as I enjoyed creating it.

By Emmanuelle Guyon.

Tags : replica, archaeology, archaeological, mirror, Celtic, Celt, English, England, Iron Age, spiral pendant, volute, spiral, Great Britain, La Tène, history, Roman, symbol, ancient, Gaulish

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