Appeal to display 3,000-year-old torc at Harborough Museum

A crowdfunding campaign is underway to ensure a rare 3,000-year-old gold torc can go on display Harborough Museum.

The Middle Bronze Age jewellery piece — discovered by a metal detectorist in a field near the town in 2024 and valued at £150,000 — is the only one of its kind ever found in Leicestershire.

The Leicestershire Archaeological and Historical Society (LAHS) has launched the appeal to ensure the torc can be saved and not sold to a private collector in the UK or overseas.

The gold torc

The spectacular gold object, dating back around 3,200 years, was likely worn as a high-status piece of jewellery — possibly first as a belt and later adapted to be worn around the neck.

It is currently being stored at the British Museum in London after being declared Treasure.

So far, more than £127,000 has been raised towards the £150,000 target, with contributions from the Art Fund, Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund, LAHS, the Market Harborough Historical Society and the Leicestershire Fieldworkers group.

Organisers now need to raise the remaining funds by 20th March and hope to receive pledges totalling £10,000 from the Crowdfunding.

Jim Butler from the LAHS spoke to HFM:

You can support the appeal HERE