A really nice, relatively rare bronze British Iron Age 'Ring headed, swan-neck Pin'

In fine condition.

It has been lightly cleaned to show hints of the original colour but purposely retains areas of original uncleaned patina.

 

Ring - 13mm, Length 78mm

Bronze/Iron Age , approx 750 -150 BC

From a named UK collection

An old but pertinent reading reference is Dunning, G. (1934). 'The swan's neck and ring-headed pins of the early Iron Age in Britain,' The Archaeological Journal XCI, pp. 269-95.

There is also an unpublished study by a German student (written in German) - Becker, K. (2000), 'Eisenzeitliche Ringkopfnadeln in Grossbitannien und Ireland',

which provides an updated look at Dunning and questions his dating. Dot Boughton, Finds Liaison Officer - Lancashire & Cumbria suggests a date between the 5th and 6th century BC.

She is currently completing her PhD on the metalwork of the Late Bronze and Early Iron transition in Britain (850-600BC)

Further reference. Similar to 

http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/110580

http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/186270

http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=1483177&partId=1

http://www.whitestagandfox.org/temair/Arts%20-%20Ring-Head%20Pin.html