Fig. 32.—Connor. ½
In the celts tapering in both directions from a slight transverse ridge, the sides have often been “upset” by hammering, so as to produce a thickening of the blade at the margins almost amounting to a flange. Not unfrequently a pattern is produced upon the sides, as in Fig. 33, where it will be seen that the median ridge along the sides is interrupted at intervals by a series of flat lozenges. The faces of this instrument below the ridge have been neatly hammered, so as to produce a kind of grained surface not unlike that of French morocco leather. This specimen, which is unusually large, was found near Clontarf, Co. Dublin. The same kind of decoration occurs on the sides of many specimens in the museum of the Royal Irish Academy.[241]
The decoration of the faces often extends over the upper part of the blade, though, when hafted, much of this was probably hidden. In Fig. 34, borrowed from Wilde (Fig. 248), this peculiarity is well exhibited. The sides have the long lozenges upon them, like those on the celt last described.
Fig. 33.—Clontarf. ½———— Fig. 34.—Ireland. ½
The beautiful specimen shown in Fig. 35 was presented to me by Mr. Robert Day, F.S.A. The sides have in this case a kind of cable pattern worked upon them. The ornamentation of the faces is remarkable as having so many curved lines brought into it. The lower part of the blade has two shallow flutings upon it, approximately parallel to the edge.
Fig. 35.—Ireland. ½———— Fig. 36.—Trim. ½
In the case of a celt of much the same form and size (7¼ inches), which belonged to the late Rev. Thomas Hugo, F.S.A., and was at one time thought to have been found in the Thames,[242] it is the upper part of the blade that is decorated, and not the lower, which is left smooth.