Collection: Celtic Carnyx Horn For Sale

The Celtic Carnyx : A Unique Celtic War Horn :

The ancient Celtic Carnyx was a wind instrument

The Carnyx stood out during the Iron Age, from around 200 BCE to 200 CE. This bronze trumpet featured an elongated S shape.The design included a long, straight central part held vertically, while the mouthpiece and bell were horizontal. Notably, the bell resembled the head of a boar or another animal. This striking and functional design played a crucial role in warfare.

The Carnyx rallied troops and intimidated enemies. Polybius noted that its powerful sound allowed leaders to control the battlefield. Consequently, the instrument's height made it audible over the noise of battles and ceremonies. Therefore, it served as an essential tool for communication and boosting morale. Indeed, its unique design and powerful sound made the Carnyx a memorable and effective instrument.

What animal is the Celtic Carnyx

A carnyx is a striking Iron Age war horn, about as tall as a person. It often has a head shaped like an animal, usually a boar. Like modern bagpipes, it boosted troop morale and intimidated enemies during battles. Additionally, people played it at feasts and festivals. This unique instrument is featured in a book that covers every known example across Europe and beyond. The book includes images on Celtic coins and Roman sculptures, along with rare surviving pieces.

The Deskford carnyx stands out, especially as a prized national treasure of Scotland. Discovered in Banffshire around 1816, it now rests with Aberdeenshire Heritage. Since 1947, it has been on display due to its global importance. This carnyx showcases a boar-shaped head crafted from sheet bronze and brass. Scholars and artists have shown significant interest in it. In the 1990s, Dr. John Purser began creating a functional replica. As a result, researchers studied its archaeological and musical significance further.

• The sound of the carnyx?

Carnyx was played As a modern brass player, you will find it easy to play the carnyx. Its design features a wide tube and mouthpiece. This wide opening helps produce sound easily. However, it also makes the breath escape quickly. The carnyx’s unique shape changes how air flows, setting it apart from other brass musical instruments.

• Etymology

The word "carnyx" comes from the Gaulish root "carn-" or "cern-." This root means "antler" or "horn." It also links to the name of the god Cernunnos.

• Symbolism

In Iron Age Britain, people used animal symbols like boars and dragons to convey aggression and power. For example, the Deskford carnyx stood out as a significant symbol. These images adorned shields, weapons, and ceremonial items. They enhanced the prestige of leaders and warriors. Moreover, the symbols reflected societal values of strength and dominance. Consequently, they reinforced the status of those who displayed them.

• Tintignac

Discovery of Carnyces at Tintignac

In 2004, archaeologists made a major find at Tintignac in Corrèze, France. They uncovered a Gallic pit from the first century BC. This pit contained over 500 metal fragments, including seven examples of a distinctive ancient instrument. One of these examples was nearly complete. Before this discovery, experts had found only five similar instruments across Scotland, France, Germany, Romania, and Switzerland. Four of these instruments featured boar's heads, while the fifth displayed a serpent-like creature. These examples likely formed part of a ritual deposit shortly after the Roman conquest of Gaul. Additionally, the Tintignac find allowed researchers to identify fragments discovered in northern Italy in the 2010s as parts of the same type of instrument. Consequently, this discovery provided new insights into the spread and significance of these ancient tools.

• Deskford

In 1816, archaeologists discovered the Deskford instrument at Leitchestown farm in Banffshire, Scotland. It stands as the only example from the British Isles. The boar's head bell is the only part of this artifact that survives. Experts believe that people deposited it as part of a ritual. The Museum of Scotland currently houses the Deskford instrument, with Aberdeenshire Museums Service lending it. Unlike many similar artifacts linked to warfare, the Deskford instrument’s location and age suggest it served a peaceful, ceremonial role. Before the 2004 discovery in France, scholars considered it the best surviving example and used it as a model for earlier reconstructions.

Craftsmen made the Deskford instrument mostly from brass, a metal controlled by the Romans and used sparingly by Celtic cultures. They likely crafted it from recycled Roman materials. Based on its metallurgy, the Museum of Scotland dates its construction to between 80 and 250 AD. They note its distinct Scottish design, which differs from similar artifacts found on the continent. The decoration matches the northeast Scottish bronze-working style of the time, indicating that local artisans produced it and that it represents a unique regional variant.

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