Gold Cape
The priceless Bronze Age gold cape discovered in Mold forms the centrepiece of an exhibition that has recently opened at the British Museum in London. The cape is the focal point of a permanent display titled 'Prehistory: Objects of Power' .
The Cape is described by the Museum as 'one of the finest examples of sheet metal gold work from the Bronze Age'.
Background
The Gold Cape was discovered by labourers in pieces at Bryn yr Ellyllon ('Hill of Elves') just off Chester Road, Mold in 1833 along with the bones of a man and amber beads. Only one amber bead survives of the 'quantities' found with the cape, the rest is believed to have gone home in the labourers' pockets. Missing fragments of the cape have turned up over the years, the last fragment found only 10 years ago.
The entire cape was found crushed and broken and has been repaired using reinvented technology to replace the missing 15% of the metal by Conservator Ian Macintrye. It is dated between 1900 and 1600BC.
It is made from the equivalent of 23-carat gold, weighs one kilogram and was created from one ingot of gold and decorates with ribs and bosses giving the impression of folded cloth.. It is believed to have been a garment worn for religious ceremonies, although this can only be guessed at. We know that it was not just used as a burial offering as it showed signs of repair. It would have fitted over the shoulders, upper arms and body of its wearer, who would have had to have had assistance in putting on the cape and once on would have had severely restricted arm movement.
While the original Cape resides in the British Museum, a replica can be seen in the heritage centre situated above Mold library. A stone tablet in the wall of a nearby house on Chester Road marks the spot where the cape was found.
Where should the Cape reside?
The Gold Cape is kept in London due to security concerns at North Wales museums. Welsh Assembly Member Alison Halford has insisted that the Cape should be returned home and that a suitable secure location should be found for the Cape, which she believes should be Theatr Clwyd.
Ms Halford has invited Culture Minister Jenny Randerson to visit Mold to discuss how the complex can be developed and improved. "Such a project will take real money but nothing like that we have seen in Cardiff," she said.
Mold town councillor Chris Bithell would like to see the Cape housed in the town's former courthouse off Chester Street. There are plans to transform the building into a North East Wales museum.
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