The Tara Brooch is one of the most substantial artistic finds in Celtic history and is thought to have been crafted in or around the year 700 A.D. It is seven inches in length and is made in a pseudo-penannular style. The handiwork involved in crafting this brooch was quite involved and shows a high level of skill, and it was likely made for a very wealthy person who wanted to display status; this individual was almost certainly a man.
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Tara Brooch, National Museum of Ireland
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While the brooch was named after the Hill of Tara, historically looked upon as the seat of the High Kings of Ireland, the brooch has no ties to either the Hill or the High Kings. Instead, when it was found by a peasant woman and eventually sold to well-known Celtic Revival-era jewelry collector and dealer George Waterhouse, he named it as such to make it sound more attractive and appealing.
The beautiful brooch is crafted from precious metals and semi-precious stones, including gold, silver, copper, amber, and glass. Additionally, intricate filigree and inlaying is seen throughout the work. The advanced work seen in the brooch is a testament to the highly advanced goldsmith skills prevalent in Ireland at that period.
While you may not be able to own the actual Tara Brooch, you can purchase one of our inspired brooches in either a
medium or
large size. Jewelry is one of the most beautiful forms of art in Irish history. Even today, the beautiful jewels that come out of Ireland are unique and instantly recognizable by their style and quality. However, the Tara Brooch is still the crown jewel of all jewelry pieces that have been found so far, and our handmade brooches are a great reminder of that tradition. These beautiful tokens are a tribute to our history and make wonderful gifts for those you love.