Casgliadau Arlein

Lantern cross-bar, broken in half across the central circular hole and with the outer end hammered flat. Originally the piece would have been yoked shaped, and its function is apparent from the complete lanterns that survive. A central chain passed through the hole to the lid, and two chains were suspended from the arms to the lantern body. The maker's stamp SVOLGEN.F (ecit) is preserved complete and is formed of neat letters with large, distinct serifs. The name is undoubtedly Gaulish, but is not previously recorded. Lanterms were produced in Italy in the first century AD and the present specimen doubtless represents a complementary Gaulish production.