The Tara brooch is an ancient Celtic metal masterpiece. Stories say it came from the Hills of Tara – traditionally considered the seat of the Irish high kings. Although it was just a fabrication to increase the value of the brooch, this artifact is still one of the greatest treasures in Irish history.
Find the Tara brooch
Instead of Tara Hill, the Tara Brooch is recorded as having been found on a beach at Bettystown, near Laytown, County Meath. The peasant woman who allegedly found the brooch in August 1850 claimed that the object was in a box in the sand when she made the discovery.
However, many people do not believe everything about that story. They think the brooch was actually unearthed somewhere inland. However, to avoid legal disputes with the landowner, it is possible that the woman’s family lied about the location where the artifacts were found.
From jewelers to exhibitions
In any event, the brooch was later sold to a dealer, after which it passed to a Dublin jeweler named George Waterhouse. At the time, Waterhouse was producing Celtic renaissance jewellery, which had proven extremely popular in the previous decade. Waterhouse’s ability to keep up with trends also led to a renaming of the brooch. By linking this artifact to the traditional seat of the High Kings of Ireland, the Hill of Tara, Waterhouse added to the monetary value and reputation of the brooch.
Modern fabric model, showing how to use these types of brooches. British Museum. (Johnbod/ CC BY SA 3.0 )
This can be seen in the fact that the Tara Brooch was displayed at the Great Exhibition in London in 1851. Later, the brooch was also displayed at the Exposition Universelle in Paris, and in 1853, it was displayed at the Great Industry Show. in Dublin, where Queen Victoria visited. The Queen liked the design so much that she ordered several copies from Waterhouse.
In 1872, the Tara Brooch became part of the collection of the Royal Irish Academy. The brooch was eventually given to the National Museum of Ireland, where it remains on display today. Many copies of the Tara Brooch appeared as a fashion accessory during the Celtic renaissance of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Tara Tram, seen from the front. National Museum of Ireland. (Johnbod/ CC BY SA 3.0 )
Finely detailed decoration of the Tara brooch
The Tara brooch is often considered one of the greatest masterpieces of Celtic metalwork. Analysis of the object showed that it was made of gold, silver, bronze, amber and colored glass. Tara brooches belong to the category of brooches known as ‘pseudo-semicircular’ brooches.
Annular brooches are one of the most popular types of brooches and are identified by their rounded, broken shape and highly decorated ends. Although pentagonal brooches look like pentagonal brooches due to their beautifully decorated ends, they are in fact complete circles.
Rogart brooch, a Pictish hexagonal brooch, Scotland, 8th century, gilded silver and glass. (Johnbod/ CC BY SA 3.0 )
Both sides of the Tara Brooch, i.e. front and back, are decorated in great detail, although the front is more so than the back. Based on the quality of the materials used to make the Tara Brooch as well as its craftsmanship, it is believed that this artifact was made for a wealthy patron, possibly male. In addition to fastening the owner’s robe, the brooch was also believed to be a sign of wealth and high status.
Tara Tram, seen from behind. National Museum of Ireland. (Johnbod/ CC BY SA 3.0 )
Celtic and Christian motifs by Tram
Much of the brooch’s decoration is interwoven, often involving enlarged forms. This is a prominent motif in the Celtic artistic tradition and is full of symbolic meaning. Animal motifs that can be spotted on Tara Brooches include birds, wolf heads and dragons.
Although the symbolism of these decorations has pre-Christian origins, they continued to be used after Christianity came to Ireland. Additionally, zoomorphic symbols are said to have carried a complex layer of Christian meaning, although these symbols have faded from cultural memory. It is also believed that such decorations have the power to protect the user from evil.
Sketch of the Tara Brooch. Wakeman’s Handbook of Irish Antiquities. (1903) (Public domain)
