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It's not the largest
gold coin in our
July catalogue.
Neither is it the
rarest nor the most
expensive. However,
we feel that this
Corded Triangle gold
quarter stater of
the Cantiaci is
undoubtedly one of
the prettiest and
most interesting
pieces of ancient
British gold.
This beautiful
example – the finest
we’ve seen – clearly
reveals the full
array of interesting
ornaments. The
rectangular object
below the horse is
almost certainly a
fishing net, which
is a most
appropriate tribal
emblem for a tribe
which was surrounded
by sea and blessed
with fish-rich
rivers. The inverted
triangle is more
mysterious. I don’t
for one moment think
it is a stylised
wing, though this
interpretation is
theoretically
possible. In India,
Greece and Rome,
triangles were often
used as decorative
motifs in friezes.
Their significance
probably remained
constant: point
uppermost, triangles
represented fire and
male genetalia;
point downwards
water and female
sexual organs. In
India, the inverted
triangle is a symbol
of the yoni
or womb. In iron age
Kent, linking an
aquatic fertility
symbol with a
fishing net makes
sense, doesn’t it?
Chris Rudd July
list.
30.6.08 |
