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Tuesday, 23rd January 2007 (2184 views)

Four ancient gold Dacian bangles are finally in display in Romania after being illegally taken out of the country five years ago.

The 2,000-year-old jewellery items are now at home in Romania's National History Museum where they will form part of an exhibition celebrating 1,900 years of ancient Dacia.

It is believed they were taken out of Romania in 2002 before being put up for sale by an art collector in America. The Romanian government bought back the bracelets in 2006 following lengthy negotiations with the seller.

The spiral-shaped bangles are said to be made of 24-karat gold and are decorated with tiny palm leaves. They were made by the Dacian people using gold mined in the Carpathian Mountains.

Since they weigh one kilogram each and demonstrate delicate craftsmanship it is thought the bracelets may have worn as a symbol of power by high-ranking officials at special ceremonies.

According to The People's Daily, another gold Dacian bracelet, which was found on sale in Paris by French policemen, will also go on display at the museum.

 

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