A fine specimen, with the stop-ridge consisting of a straight narrow raised band across each face, and with a second curved band at some distance below, is shown in Fig. 50. It was found at Wigton, Cumberland, and is in the collection of Canon Greenwell, F.R.S. The face between the two bands has a grained appearance given it by hammering. The wings or side flanges are also faceted by the same process. In the same collection is another blade (5¾ inches) of this form, with a small stop-ridge, and having the lower part ornamented with vertical punched lines. The sides have three facets, that in the centre ornamented in a similar manner. This celt was found at Rougham, Norfolk. I have a sketch of another (6¼ inches) found near Longtown, Cumberland, in 1860.
Fig. 50.—Wigton. ½
I have a nearly similar specimen, but only 4⅞ inches long, from Stanton, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire. Another (5¾ inches) with only a slight stop-ridge was found at Aynhoe,[252] Northamptonshire, and is in the collection of Sir Henry Dryden. Fig. 51 shows a beautifully wrought and highly decorated flanged celt, provided with a somewhat curved stop-ridge connecting the two flanges. The two faces of the celt are ornamented with an interlaced pattern produced by narrow dents, with a border of chevrons along each margin punched into the metal. The flanges are worked into three facets ornamented with diagonal grooves, and the lower side of the stop-ridge has a moulding worked on it. This fine example of an ornamented celt was found near Chollerford Bridge, Northumberland, and is in the collection of Canon Greenwell, F.R.S.
—— Fig. 51.—Chollerford Bridge. ½ ——— Fig. 52.—Chatham. ½
A somewhat similar but unornamented variety of instrument, partaking more of the palstave character, is shown in Fig. 52. The original was found in excavations at Chatham Dockyard, and is now in the British Museum. As will be seen, the recess for the haft ends in a semicircular stop-ridge.
In Fig. 53 is shown a winged celt without stop-ridge found in Burwell Fen, Cambridgeshire, and now in my own collection. The side flanges or wings have been hammered into three facets, and are well developed. The form of the blade is otherwise that of a flat celt, except that there is a slight irregularity in the sweep of the sides, which results from the hammering of the flanges. The form occurs occasionally in Ireland, and one (4¼ inches) is figured by Wilde.[253] Winged celts of nearly the same form, but provided with a stop-ridge, are occasionally found. One of these in the British Museum, found at Bucknell, Herefordshire, is shown in Fig. 54. The blade below the stop-ridge is 9/16 inch thick; above it only ⅜ inch. A celt of much the same character (7¼ inches), found at Wolvey, Warwickshire, is in the collection of Mr. M. H. Bloxam, F.S.A.
Fig. 53.—Burwell Fen. ½ ——— Fig. 54.—Bucknell. ½