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The History of The Celtic Torc

Written by Ciaran Vipond on Sep 02, 2022 | 0 Comments

On a visit to the National Museum of Ireland, you are sure to be struck by Ireland’s fantastic history of metalwork. And the Celtic Torc stands out above all other fine examples of ancient Irish metalwork. The sheer volume of work is impressive, Ireland holds the current record for the most ancient torcs discovered to date. These intricately designed pieces evolved over 100’s of years of craft and are spectacular to behold.

But what is a Celtic Torc? What were they made of? And what were they for? Why did the ancient people of Ireland seem to love them so much? And what are the finest examples of ancient Celtic Torc’s in Ireland? Read on to get answers and find out how to (safely) put on and take off your own torc to prevent it breaking!

What is a Celtic Torc?

A Torc is a rigid neck or wrist ornament popular throughout Europe for a huge span of time dating back to the Bronze age. Derived from the Latin word ‘torquis’, meaning ‘to twist,’ the earliest torcs were crafted from twisted pieces of metal to form a rigid piece of jewelry with a small opening at one side. A few designs had hook and ring closures or interlocking catches to close them, but the torc style as it is known today typically has no clasp or catch.

The torc style of jewelry was popular among many groups of ancient peoples including the Norse and Vikings. But it was the Celts that seemed to be particularly enamoured with them, and they set the bar with some spectacularly decorative pieces, known to many as "Celtic Torcs," that survive and impress to this day.

What were Torcs made from?

As the root of their name suggests, early Torcs were made from twisted strands of metal. This style evolved over time and some later examples were made from solid metal or even hollow tubes that were cast.

The bulk of surviving examples of ancient torcs in Ireland were typically crafted out of gold. But there are also ancient examples of Torcs in other metals like silver or bronze. Other metals or materials may have also been used to make these pieces of jewelry, but it may be just hard-wearing, metals like gold, silver, and bronze that have survived to this day to be displayed in museums. But we do know from their association with burials, that torcs made of gold seemed to hold special meaning and appeared to be reserved for very high status individuals.

Where are Torc’s found?

Also known by the name torque or torq depending on where you are, they were a hugely popular form of Bronze age jewelry across Europe and beyond. There are fine examples of ancient sterling silver torcs of Viking origin, a notable find in Co. Mayo, as well torcs of varied design from across the continent from Ireland to modern day Iran.

But it was the Celts that seemed to be a little obsessed with the torc, masterfully crafting thousands of pieces, and even depicting their gods and goddesses wearing them. And the ancient peoples in Ireland seem to be especially prolific, with our small island holding the record for the most torcs discovered to date.

The ancient torcs we have today are sometimes discovered buried as a horde, in bundles of multiple treasures. But a few pieces have been discovered in ancient grave sites giving special insight into the significance of these impressive pieces for our ancestors.

Spectacular Celtic Torcs

And you can’t but be impressed by pieces like this twisted early Bronze Age Gold ribbon torc with a hook and eye closure.

The Mooghaun Gold Horde

Just imagine being the people to happen across the Late Bronze age Mooghaun Gold Horde. Discovered in marshy ground near Mooghaun lake in Co. Clare in 1854 by workers building a railway, this spectacular find weighed over 11lbs! A treasure trove that would impress even the most experienced hunter. With over 150 golden ornaments including solid gold torcs for arms and necks and hammered golden collars, it remains one of the most spectacular finds on this island despite many of the objects being lost and melted down.

The Broighter Collar

But the most spectacular torc treasure of all, for detail and craft rather than sheer volume, has to be the Broighter Collar. A later, Iron Age piece thought to be from the 1st century BC shows how craftspeople developed and added new techniques to produce ever more impressive pieces. The intricate and highly decorative style of this collar is associated with the Le Tène culture that many think of as synonymous with Celtic design.

Indeed the Broighter Collar is considered one of the finest pieces of surviving Celtic metalwork anywhere in the world today. It is held in the highest regard, along side ancient Irish treasures like the Ardagh Chalice, The Book of Kells or the Tara Brooch.

What were Torcs For?

It seems fair to deduce that given their prevalence through the centuries, the torc, and especially golden torcs, were very important to the the people of the time. So what were they for?

Status

It appears that owning and wearing a torc singled a person out as someone to be reckoned with, someone of very high status. Torcs were effectively Celtic status symbols, the Rolex or their day! And the design of many torcs would have made them difficult to take off, so they may have been worn quite continuously. No mean feat when you consider that many designs would have weighed several pounds. Heavy metal indeed! There are torcs found that would have been worn by children, as well as high status men and women. There is no doubt that they were incredibly valuable heirlooms.

Family Heirlooms

A Torc in the collection at the British museum bears a rather ostentatious repair where the piece snapped at the back. Given that the torc could have been given a more subtle patch job, the curators at the museum have suggested that perhaps this repair itself was also a status symbol. A torc that had been handed down through generations of high status individuals, and so bore the marks of being taken on and off, showed a family that had wealth and power. An fascinating idea and a glimpse into ancient life.

Offerings to the Gods

But not all broken Torcs were repaired or indeed passed down. Some seem to have been deliberately bent or broken and buried with their owners as grave goods. Torcs were such revered items that at least a few pieces also seem to have been made as offerings to Celtic Gods. The Broighter Collar along with the rest of the Broighter Horde was found in Derry beside the coast. Given the location of the find and the pieces in the horde, many have speculated that it represents an offering to a Celtic God of the Sea, Manannán mac Lir.

Who Made Celtic Torcs?

If it was fit for a god, and marked you out as someone special, why would you take off a beautiful Torc? Especially when it displayed your great prosperity to such effect. These incredibly important pieces had a caché that rubbed off on their makers. Skilled craftspeople and artists were afforded an elevated status in ancient Celtic society as makers of such important goods.

Master blacksmiths, metalworkers, musicians and other artists were given a special privileges and respect along with the Druids who were known as “men of art”. Their contributions, whether beautiful songs, swords and other weapons, or spectacular jewelry for the Celtic elite, were highly valued. But each Torc was the work of multiple people. Miners, charcoal makers, forge-masters as well as smiths and metalworkers would have all played a hand making these small pieces amazing feats of collective endeavour.

Why did the ancient Irish people love the Torc?

From the sheer volume of pieces made, to the precious materials used, to the respect afforded to their wearers and makers, to their association with the gods, it is clear that ancient Irish people were pretty into torcs if not completely besotted by them. Given the huge span of time, we might never really know why. But perhaps it is some combination of their beauty, and their significance and meaning, that lead to torcs being such a dominant form of jewelry in ancient Ireland.

The Celtic Torc Today

Torcs remain a popular style of jewelry in Ireland to this day. But for practical reasons like wearability and affordability, most Torcs crafted and worn today differ somewhat from the ancient pieces on display at the National Museum of Ireland.

For one, modern pieces are typically a good deal smaller. There are not many people around today that want or can afford a precious metal necklace or bangle that weighs several pounds! Secondly today torcs are overwhelmingly made as bangles rather than neckwear. The traditional rigid Torc design with a small opening, means bangles are more practical option as they are easier to put on and take off making them much more wearable.

Our Torc Jewelry

We take inspiration for many of our carefully crafted pieces from these ancient designs. And inspired by the spectacular craft of the Celts, we have a range of torc bangles made in precious Gold or Sterling Silver. This intricate and ornate Sterling Silver Celtic Braid torc is a firm favorite. Combining Celtic interlace with a classic open Torc shape this substantial torc is a striking piece that is also perfect for engraving on the inside band.

And for Irish history buffs, we have the History of Ireland Torc available in Sterling Silver and Gold. This iconic 1970's design combines the classic Celtic shape with 12 symbols that span Irish history, including the time of the Celts.

And if it is a necklace you are after we have several pieces inspired by the collared design of torcs. We appreciate that life these days may not accommodate a necklace that weighs several pounds and can’t be taken off! So the designs are adapted to be more wearable and indeed affordable! This 9k gold Celtic necklace has a striking design that is inspired by the golden Celtic Collars of our ancestors. But the elegant chain closure makes this piece infinitely more wearable without loosing any impact.

This Sterling Silver Celtic necklace is designed in a similar way with a Celtic interlace collar with an elegant chain closure. A modern twist on an ancient design classic for a contemporary and wearable look with your choice of stone.

How to put on and take off a Torc?

We know that many find the traditional Torc bangle designs quite tricky to take on and off! No one wants a broken torc. And unlike the Celts, wearing a piece of jewelery continuously does not always fit with modern life. So if you want to wear one of our traditional torcs, and don’t want to damage it taking it on and off every time you fancy going for a swim or doing the dishes, we have you covered! Here is our short video on how to put on and take off a torc like a pro.

Celtic Torcs

If you're looking to emulate the prestige and status of the ancient Celts at home, with your own Celtic torc there are different styles to suit every man or woman proud of their Irish heritage.

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Ciaran Vipond

Ciaran Vipond

My Irish Jeweler

Born in Co. Antrim and reared in Dublin, I was fascinated with Gaelic culture from an early age. I suppose it's not surprising given my mother inherited a grá for the Irish language from my grandfather, an Irish school headmaster. And that grá continues! My brother and sister are now Gaelic teachers here in Ireland, my niece is an award winning Irish dancer, and I proudly work to share Irish culture through our Irish and Celtic Jewelry at My Irish Jeweler!

I love researching and reading about the history of Irish design. It's at the core of what we do here at My Irish Jeweler. I find much of it so interesting that I have to share what I find. I hope you enjoy it!

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