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Gold at The Queen's Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse
This exhibition is in the past. View our current exhibitions.
BRITISH

The Rillaton cup

Early Bronze Age

RCIN 69742

This ancient work of art demonstrates the enduring qualities of gold. An extremely rare survival from this period, the cup is formed from a single ingot of gold, and must have been worked using tools of bone or stone. It was discovered in Rillaton, Cornwall, inside a ceramic vessel which helped preserve its form. It seems to have been decorated with small punched shapes although these are now mostly lost.

    The income from your ticket contributes directly to The Royal Collection Trust, a registered charity. The aims of The Royal Collection Trust are the care and conservation of the Royal Collection, and the promotion of access and enjoyment through exhibitions, publications, loans and educational activities.