The Ryedale Roman Bronzes (also known as the Ryedale Hoard) is an assemblage of Roman metalwork.[1]
| Ryedale Roman Bronzes | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Created | AD 150–410 |
| Period/culture | Roman |
| Discovered | May 2020 near Ampleforth, North Yorkshire |
| Present location | Yorkshire Museum, York |
Discovery
editThe assemblage was found by metal detectorists James Spark and Mark Didlick in a field near Ampleforth in Ryedale, North Yorkshire, in May 2020.[2]
Contents and significance
editThe assemblage comprises four pieces of metalwork, all of which are copper-alloys. They are: 1) a plumb bob, 2) a horse and rider figurine, 3) a figural horse head with an iron shank (probably a key), and 4) a figural bust (a sceptre head). The sceptre head is in the shape of an Emperor, probably Marcus Aurelius, and so dates to the late 2nd-century AD.[2] In the Portable Antiquities Scheme record Dr John Pearce commented that the assemblage probably derived from a ritual context.[1]
Dr Andrew Woods, senior curator at the Yorkshire Museum, has described the find as being of "national significance and great rarity."[3]
Acquisition and public display
editThe assemblage comprised non-precious metals and so did not qualify as treasure under the terms of the Treasure Act 1996. It was placed on public display at Hansons Auctioneers in London on 28th April 2021.[4][5] It was originally valued at between £70,000 and £90,000.[5][4] In May 2021 it was sold in the private auction for £185,000.[6] The Yorkshire Museum purchased the assemblage from David Aaron Ltd., who had originally bought it, with financial support from a private donor, Richard Beleson, the Art Fund and other private donors.[2]
The artefacts were displayed at the Frieze Art Fair in London from 13 to 17 October 2021 before being added to the Yorkshire Museum's collection.[7] In February 2022 it announced that the museum, which had been closed since November 2021, would reopen on 8 April 2022 with a new exhibition focussing on the hoard.[8]
References
edit- ^ a b "ASSEMBLAGE (YORYM-870B0E)". Portable Antiquities Scheme. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
- ^ a b c "RARE ROMAN BRONZES ACQUIRED BY THE YORKSHIRE MUSEUM". York Museums Trust. 13 October 2021. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
- ^ "Yorkshire Museum acquires 'truly exceptional' Roman bronze hoard". BBC News. 13 October 2021. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
- ^ a b "'Nationally important' 2,000 year old hoard found in Ryedale to go on public display". Gazette & Herald. 28 April 2021. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
- ^ a b "Incredible hoard of Roman treasures discovered by amateur metal detectorists in Ryedale to be auctioned". Yorkshire Post. 28 April 2021. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
- ^ "Ryedale Ritual Bronzes: Roman artefacts sell for £185,000". BBC News. 20 May 2021. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
- ^ "Roman Ryedale Bronzes: 1,800-year-old Roman hoard to go on display at Yorkshire Museum". Yorkshire Post. 13 October 2021. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
- ^ "Yorkshire Museum set to reopen in April with new exhibition". York Press. 17 February 2022. Retrieved 18 February 2022.