Black and white

Acc.no: PEZPH : 2016.50.633

Identification

Item: Gold ornament found at Towednack (near St Ives). See also 2016.50.634

Description: A photograph taken in 1931 of the then recently discovered gold ornaments known as the Towednack Gold Hoard. This item was found shortly after the other ornaments. The Cornishman reported on 31 December 1931 that Messrs Gibson had secured some "excellent photographs" of the items which were then on view in the Penzance Museum. Earlier that month, the Western Daily Press reported that a farm labourer named Ernest Berryman had unearthed the gold while going about his work at Amalveor Farm. He was working for a tenant farmer called Wilfred Hollow. The gold weighed 16 ounces. It was declared Treasure Trove and as such later went to the British Museum, where it was on display in 1932. As a reward, Mr Berryman received £90 (around £5500 today). The items were found at Badger's Lane, Towednack, near St Ives (SW4794 3759). The hoard lay between 18-24 inches below the ground. It consisted of 2 torcs (collars) and two pairs of bracelets and goldsmiths' materials. It dates from the late bronze age c.1000-750 BC and is made from Irish gold. The torc with the triple twist is believed to be a unique example of such a design. The Western Morning News carried an article on 29 July 1932 that Cornish Institutions were to receive electrotype replicas of the items which were to go to Truro, Penzance and Falmouth. Cornwall had been disappointed that the hoard was not to be housed permanently in the county, but the provision of the replicas was part of the conditions under which the hoard was allowed to be kept by the British Museum. The replicas can be seen in the Archaeological Museum at Penlee House.

Condition: Good

Description

Material: Photographic paper

Production

Method: Printed

Category: Photography

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