The Celts exhibition (British Museum)

Having done so well with my Christmas preparations I took a day out yesterday and went to see the Celts Art & Identity exhibition at the British Museum. The Celts, though not defined as a particular group of people/race, were defined by their art. These people lived not in towns but in villages across parts of Europe, and in England were mainly (thought not exclusively) spread around Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall and the Isle of Man.

The exhibition looks through their history as they came out of the Bronze and Iron Age. Greeks first spoke of Celts in 500BC as fierce warriors. The Roman invasion in AD43 influenced the art, and some 'Celts' probably worked and fought alongside the Roman army. Weaponry, jewellery and items of everyday use were decorated with in spirals and knots. often depicting animals, birds and flowers, as well as heads of men, women, gods and goddesses.

Torcs were very popular and worn around the neck, arms, and wrists. There was one on display containing 1.5kg of gold! I cannot imagine how heavy that was to wear! It is easy to forget that a lot of items were once coloured in bright pigments. Most of that has faded. There was one scabbard where you could still make out rectangles of colour - how beautiful if must have once been.

There was a most impressive cauldron which was decorated not only on the outside but also around the rim inside. The pictures possibly told stories from myths long since lost.

Later in the Celtic history we see the beginning of the monasteries and illuminated manuscripts and much later still how all things Celtic began to make a revival. Items were copied and made in the Celtic style such as jewellery, and stories were told (new myths emerged). Today all things Celt are still celebrated in parts of the UK and even in the USA.

Several items in the exhibition have been found in the River Thames; a wonderful helmet was found near Waterloo Station and a shield in Battersea. Water was very important to the Celts and they probably worshiped a water god. The items may have been left there for the god.

The Celts had a wonderful instrument called a carnyx which was a war horn. It was long, held upright and had the head of an animal on the top (they looked like a periscope!) . We were able to hear what one sounded like. I think I can safely say it would have scared the living daylights out of the enemy!

I found the exhibition peaceful due to the looped Celtic-style music playing. It wasn't intrusive but added atmosphere. I went early to avoid the crowds and that paid off. The exhibition ends on 31st January, so there is still time to see it.