Élément de char

The grave at Orval (Manche) is today a unique case: the westernmost of the late Early La Tène "chariot graves" ever found in Europe.

Face and profiles, for complete protection

This chariot element features bas-relief decoration consisting of a central mask framed by two similar heads shown in profile. The symmetry of the image and the decorative treatment of the plant-like hair and beard are typical of early Celtic art. The function and significance of this decoration remains unclear, but its quality illustrates the high degree of artistic development of objects associated with princely tombs in Western Europe during the Second Iron Age.