Alistair Hardaker
Image: Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery's Gold-Cabinet
Royal Institution of Cornwall acquires Bronze Age gold and historic ring with help from public donations
The Royal Institution of Cornwall (RIC) has acquired a Bronze Age gold terminal fragment and a gold memento mori ring, and will display the items at the Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery, which it owns and manages.
The acquisitions were made possible by donations to the Treasure Appeal and funding from The ACE/V&A Purchase Grant Fund and the Art Fund Acquisitions Grant.
The new acquisitions, through the Treasure Act 1996, have been made thanks to recent donations to the museum’s Treasure Appeal, and with funding from The ACE/V&A Purchase Grant Fund and the Art Fund Acquisitions Grant.
The gold fragment and ring, which dates back to 1702, are expected to be on display by autumn.
The museum said finds are coming up more regularly thanks to an increase in metal-detecting and the success of the PAS (Portable Antiquities Scheme) for archaeological objects found by members of the public in England and Wales.
The fund received donations of over £1200 from museum members and the public in July allowing these acquisitions to take place.
Jeni Woolcock, Collections and Engagement Manager, said: “We are regularly offered beautiful and interesting items which have been valued under the PAS initiative, and are currently working to build on our collection of Bronze Age gold in particular.”
“However, regional museums such as ours – which receive no regular funding – find it hard to raise the full amount to buy Treasure finds. They sometimes end up with private collectors. Being able to dip into the newly created Treasure Fund means we can be more responsive and competitive.”
“We have been offered a bronze age gold ingot and other amazing gold objects from the same period, which we’d love to be able to display alongside the rest of our ancient gold collection. The target for these items is £2500 and all donations are gratefully received.”
