Description
| ITEM | Sheet with incised decoration |
| MATERIAL | Silver |
| CULTURE | Bronze Age |
| PERIOD | 2nd millenium B.C |
| DIMENSIONS | 30 mm x 84 mm x 1 mm |
| CONDITION | Good condition |
| LOCATION | Museo Arqueológico Nacional (MAN), Madrid (Spain) |
During the Bronze Age, metal sheets made of precious materials such as gold, silver, and occasionally copper alloys were highly valued for their decorative and symbolic uses. These sheets were thinly hammered, often using cold-working techniques, to achieve a smooth, malleable surface suitable for various purposes. Their production required significant metallurgical skill, as artisans had to control the thickness and shape without breaking the metal. The use of these sheets demonstrates the technological advancements of Bronze Age societies in metalworking, particularly in crafting intricate and delicate items.
Gold and silver sheets were primarily used in ritualistic and elite contexts, often to create jewelry, ceremonial objects, and funerary goods. They could be shaped into diadems, appliqués for garments or furnishings, and even into thin coverings for wooden or stone objects to give them a luxurious appearance. Some sheets featured engraved or repoussé decorations, with designs that reflected cultural symbols, religious motifs, or representations of power and status. The high value of these metals meant they were reserved for the upper classes, indicating social hierarchy and wealth.
It is most likely that this piece was used as an ornament fixed onto a band of textile or leather, serving as a front decoration or diadem.
