The first is elaborate and uncommon in the design upon the leather, and is more than usually rich in the variety of its brass decoration, it has originally had a large central boss. This fine specimen was the family target of the Campbells of Jura, and now belongs to Mr Gourlay Steell, R.S.A. The others are very good illustrations of the ordinary class of Old Highland targets.
HIGHLAND TARGETS.
IV.
BRONZE SHIELDS.
The large shield is one of two found in 1837, during drain-making operations near Yetholm, they are nearly similar in size and pattern. Shortly after they were found, the gentleman to whom they belonged exhibited them at a meeting of the Society of Antiquaries; but after his death, they seem to have been so little cared for, that they were thrown into a garret with other lumber, of the antiquarian kind, and when the establishment was broken up, were bought with the rest as a speculative lot of Chinese curiosities for a few shillings; but the purchaser fortunately offered them for sale at the Museum. This is a good illustration how many valuables of this kind go amissing or find their way to the melting-pot. Since then another was turned up in Yetholm Bog by a ploughman. Such shields have been found in England and Wales as well as in Scotland. In Ireland they are more rare, and among these few the plate represents one lately got in Lough Gur, County Limerick.
Yetholm. |
Lough Gur. |
SCOTTISH AND IRISH BRONZE SHIELDS.