Archaeological Chain Torc

The torc viewed from above after treatment. The torc’s surface is black and lays flat on a workbench, the neck ring is the centre of the image and the eight chains attached to the base of the ring extend downwards.

Identification

  • Object Type: Archaeological iron chain torc
  • Date: Unknown
  • Origin: Unknown
  • Owner: Doncaster Museum
  • Maker: Unknown
  • Measurements:
    • Length: 62.5 cm
    • Width at neck: 11.7 cm
  • Materials: Iron

Summary

This object is a small solid metal torc, styled with twisted metal around the collar and 3 thin chains that hang down in 4 bunches on either side of the centre of the chain. It is made of iron and would have been worn around a person’s throat allowing the chains to hang down the front of the person’s body. The chains were shaped by hand, as can be seen in the differences in each loop, showing this is an object that likely had some value to it. This object is an archaeological grave good, that was found with several similar pieces. 

Behind the Scenes

A view of the torc from above before treatment. The torc is lying flat on a workbench and appears red/brown due to corrosion and dirt. The ring of the torc in the left-hand side of the image and the eight chains extend outwards across the image away from the ring. The chains appear twisted.
Chain torc prior to conservation treatment.
Close up view of the iron torc undergoing cleaning with a glass bristle brush. The surface is partially coated in a red/brown layer of corrosion/surface dirt. Small pieces of debris cleaned from the surface lays around the torc on the workbench.
Before (right) and after (left) removal of corrosion using a glass bristle brush.
The torc viewed from above after cleaning. The torc’s surface is black and lays flat on a workbench, the neck ring is in the left most part of the image and the eight chains attached to the base of the ring extend outwards along the bench.
Chain torc after conservation treatment.
The torc viewed from above after cleaning. The torc’s surface is black and lays flat on a workbench, the neck ring is the centre of the image and the eight chains attached to the base of the ring extend downwards.
Close-up of the torc after conservation treatment.
Close up of the chains and lower section of the neck ring after treatment. The surface of the neck ring is gun metal silver and the eight chains still exhibit some orange corrosion.
Close-up of the chains after conservation treatment.

The conservator who treated this object is Chloe, click on the profile to learn more.

Note: All images were taken by the conservator unless stated otherwise.

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