Bracelets and Sickles (Armschmuck und Sicheln)

Neues Museum

Material: Bronze

Date: 13th–12th century BC

Culture/Origin: Riesdorf, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany

Context: Hoard find associated with agricultural tools and the jewelry of several women

This display presents a collection of finely cast Bronze Age ornaments and symbolic implements, discovered as part of a hoard deposit in Riesdorf, central Germany. The items belong to the Late Bronze Age (circa 1300–1200 BCE) and include bracelets, sickle-shaped objects, and decorative pendants arranged with care to show their craftsmanship and ritual significance.

At the center, several wheel-shaped pendants are displayed — openwork bronze discs with radial or cross-pattern designs. Such motifs are commonly interpreted as solar symbols, representing the sun’s movement or the cycle of life, and were likely worn as amulets or ritual insignia.

Flanking the pendants on each side are long, slender bronze rods, possibly ceremonial sickles or stylized dress pins, characterized by fine ridged ornamentation and flared ends. Together, these items demonstrate the advanced metalworking skill and symbolic artistry of the Late Bronze Age, combining personal adornment, agricultural symbolism, and spiritual meaning in one assemblage.

Museum label reference: No. 5 — Armschmuck und Sicheln / Bracelets and Sickles

Provenance: Riesdorf, Saxony-Anhalt (Germany)

Find context: Hoard deposit including harvesting tools and jewelry belonging to multiple women

English Translation:

5 Bracelets and sickles Bronze 13th–12th century BCE Riesdorf, Saxony-Anhalt (D) Hoard find with harvesting tools and the ring jewelry of several women

Original Text:

5 Armschmuck und Sicheln Bracelets and sickles Bronze 13.–12. Jh. v. Chr. Riesdorf, Sachsen-Anhalt (D) Depotfund mit Ertegeräten und dem Ringschmuck mehrerer Frauen

Supplementary images:

Bracelets and Sickles (Armschmuck und Sicheln)

Taken on Tuesday 06th of August 2019

Device: Google

Model: Pixel 3 XL

Genre: 13th–12th century BC

Source: Berlin, Germany

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