Torc

A torc, or torque, is a large, rigid neck ring worn in Europe during the Bronze and Iron Ages, most strongly associated with Celtic-speaking communities. Typically circular or curved in cross-section, torcs could be closed rings or arched bands with open terminals, and they were worn high on the neck as a conspicuous display of status, wealth, and sometimes ritual significance.

Construction and materials: Torcs were made from gold, silver, bronze, or copper alloys. Some are formed from a single piece of metal, cast or hammered, while others are built from thinner strips joined at the ends. Many torcs feature decorated terminals—often stylized animal heads or geometric motifs—that can be plain or richly engraved. Some examples were hinged to allow easier wearing.

Cultural context: Torcs appear from the late Bronze Age into the early Iron Age and are found across Britain, Ireland, Gaul, Iberia, and other parts of continental Europe. While strongly linked to Celtic cultures, they were produced and used across various communities, often as indicators of rank or ceremonial function. In some regions torcs were deposited in hoards or included as grave goods, underscoring their importance in ritual and social life.

Notable examples: Among the most famous is a gold torc from the Snettisham hoard in Britain, one of several spectacular late prehistoric torcs recovered there. Dozens of individual torcs survive in museum collections, illustrating a range of sizes, shapes, and decorative approaches.