Find Spot record 2502 - Prehistoric findspot in Brereton

Bronze mount or escutcheon in the form of a Bull's head. Facial feature and general form are clearly of Celtic inspiration. The mount is hollow behind. Max length 4.5 cms; Max width (horns)3.1 cms. Found in plough soil near edge of field (1). Bulls are represented with some frequency on a number of different forms of Iron Age and Roman metalwork in Britain and Europe, suggesting a veneration of the Bull. A variety of bull's head mounts have previously been recorded, mainly in Northern Britain. There is a close artistic parallel in a sheet bronze mount in the form of a horse mask from Stanwick, Yorkshire. A date of 1st century AD is suggested for this mount. This escutcheon is one of the very few examples of Celtic art to have been found in Cheshire. There are no known sites or finds from the vicinity if Brindley Green Farm to provide a context for this find. (2)

<1> Various, Written Communication to the HER, Penney S 1995 (Written Communication). SCH3756.

<2> Penney S, >1995, Untitled Source, Penney S (Unpublished Report). SCH4689.

<3> Cheshire County Council, 1993-2008, Cheshire Archaeology News, Issue 3 Spring 1996 (Newsletter). SCH4366.