The form is almost identical with some of the bronze urns from the cemetery at Hallstatt, of which several appear to be of Etruscan fabric.
Another vessel of the same character was found in a tumulus in Brittany,[1599] and contained burnt bones.
In the collection of Canon Greenwell, F.R.S., is a vessel of hammered bronze of the same character as the figure, but of rather broader proportions, being nearly 17½ inches high and about 16 inches in diameter; at the shoulder the neck contracts to 13 inches. It has the usual two massive handles; and at the bottom is a flat ring with arms across it like a four-spoked wheel, rather more than 9 inches in diameter. The arms are ribbed longitudinally, and the ring has concentric ribs upon it, except at the junction with the arms, where there are cross-ribs. There are five rivets in it, one in the centre and four in the ring opposite each end of the arms. This vessel, which has been patched in more than one place, was found with numerous other bronze objects in the Heathery Burn Cave, already so often mentioned.
A remarkably fine specimen of a vase of this character, found in Capecastle Bog, near Armoy, Co. Antrim, is in the collection of Mr. T. W. U. Robinson, F.S.A. It formerly belonged to Mr. William Gray, of Belfast, who kindly allowed me to engrave it as Fig. 513. Its dimensions are as follows—
| Height | 17½ | inches. |
| Diameter of mouth | 13 | ” |
| Diameter at shoulder | 15½ | ” |
| Diameter at bottom | 7¼ | ” |
The weight is 5 lbs. 9 ozs. The plates of which it is formed are carefully riveted together, and are of large size. Some holes which have apparently been worn by use have been carefully patched. All the upper part of the vessel above the shoulder is decorated by small raised bosses produced by means of a punch applied on the inside of the vessel, and below the shoulder is a series of triangles embossed in a similar manner forming a kind of vandyke collar round the vessel. This character of ornamentation is very characteristic of the Bronze Period, and though not uncommon on urns formed of burnt clay, has not, I think, been before observed on those made of bronze.
Fig. 513.—Capecastle Bog.
The bottom of the vessel is secured by a ring and cross piece of bronze forming a kind of four-spoked wheel, as shown in the lower figure. The rings for suspension are solid, and hang towards the inside of the vessel.
As will be seen, there is much analogy between this Irish vessel and that from the Heathery Burn Cave last described. The latter, however, is without ornament.