Art Funded by you

Kelshall Treasure

Unknown, 200

This remarkable collection of Romano-British funerary artefacts was discovered in 2014 in a field at Kelshall, near Royston, North Hertfordshire. After a metal detectorist discovered the first items, including a complete bronze jug and dish, the finds were reported to North Hertfordshire District Council’s archaeology officer, who undertook a comprehensive excavation of the site. Further finds include two rare millefiori dishes, glass bottles and a bronze coin dating from AD175-176. These treasures were buried as part of the funeral ritual of a high-status resident of North Hertfordshire at the start of the third century AD. Previous finds have shown that the area was prosperous, but no items of such exceptional quality have been discovered there before. The most significant items are the two millefiori dishes. These are made of different coloured rods of glass that have been fused together to create a decorative pattern. The dishes may have been made as far away as Alexandria, illustrating the movement of luxury goods across the Roman Empire.

More information

Title of artwork, date

Kelshall Treasure, 200

Date supported

2018

Medium and material

Glass, Group of glass and metal items

Total cost

62350

Content note: This object record is part of our archive and has not been updated since it was first published. It may contain inaccurate information or outdated language. Please get in touch if you think this record should be amended.

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