One from Aikbrae,[366] Lanarkshire (6¾ inches), like Fig. 77, has been figured. Wilson gives another example like Fig. 78, but does not say where it was found. The “spade” he gives as his Fig. 59 is in all probability Italian.
Fig. 92.—Pettycur. ½
A palstave rather like that from Balcarry, Fig. 91, but with a loop, is figured by Gordon[367] as having been found in Scotland.
What may be classed as a celt with two side loops, or possibly as a chisel, is said to have been found in the year 1810 in a barrow near Pettycur,[368] Fifeshire. It is described as very strong, and the bend in the upper part, as seen in Fig. 92, is thought to be accidental. Wilson describes it as a crowbar or lever, but as its total length is only 7½ inches it can hardly be classed among such instruments.
A somewhat similar tool, but without holes in the side stops (7⅞ inches), is in the Museum of the Royal Irish Academy.[369]
Turning now to the instruments of this class discovered in Ireland, I may observe that it is so difficult to draw the line between the flanged celts, tapering both ways from a central ridge, and those which have a slight projecting stop-ridge upon them, that some Irish instruments of the latter class have already been mentioned in the preceding chapter, to which the reader is referred for the more highly ornamented varieties. Other Irish types have also been incidentally cited.
Some of the Irish palstaves much resemble English and Scottish types, but generally speaking there are sufficient peculiarities in their forms to enable a practised observer to recognise their origin. For several other varieties of form, besides those mentioned in the following pages, the reader is referred to Wilde’s Catalogue.
Winged celts without a stop-ridge, like Fig. 53, have occasionally been found in Ireland, and one is figured by Wilde.[370] I have one (5¼ inches) from Armoy, Co. Antrim. The wide-spreading celt with a slight stop-ridge and segmental band upon the blade, like Fig. 50, also occurs. A remarkably fine specimen from Westmeath with punctured ornaments on the wings and at the lower margin of the band has been engraved by Wilde.[371] Some are without the segmental band.
The type of Fig. 54 has also been found. I have a specimen (6 inches) from Ballinamallard, near Enniskillen.