In the collection of the late Mr. Brackstone was a remarkable celt, exhibiting a modification of this form. It is said to have been found with a large socketed celt with three mouldings round the mouth, and a looped palstave with three ribs below the stop ridge, near Ulleskelf, Yorkshire. Mr. Brackstone printed a lithographic plate of the three, from which and from an engraving in the Archæological Journal[478] Fig. 158 is taken. It will be observed that this celt is elaborately ornamented, even on the ring, either by engraving or punching. The original is now in the Blackmore Museum at Salisbury.
Fig. 155.—Nettleham. ½ – Fig. 156.—Croker Collection. ½ – Fig. 157.—Nettleham.
Fig. 158.—Ulleskelf. ½
A celt of closely allied character, with the lower part of the blade and the C-shaped flanches similar to that from Ulleskelf, with the exception of the chevron ornament, is said to have been also found in Yorkshire. A woodcut, from a drawing by M. Du Noyer, will be found in the Archæological Journal.[479] The upper part is rectangular and plain, without any moulding round the top, and there is no loop. The original is 6 inches long. In general appearance and character this celt approaches those of Etruscan and Italian origin; but I see no reason why it may not have been found, as stated, in Britain, though, so far as I know, it is unique of its kind.
The next class of socketed celts which has to be noticed consists of those in which the loop is absent. No doubt, in some cases, this absence arises either from defective casting, or from the loop having been accidentally broken off, and all traces of it removed; but in many instances it is evident that the tools were cast purposely without a loop. It seems probable that many of them were intended for use as chisels, and not like the looped kinds as axes or hatchets. The similarity between the looped and the loopless varieties is so great that I have thought it best to describe some of the instruments which may be regarded as undoubtedly chisels in this place rather than in the chapter devoted to chisels, in which, however, such of the socketed kinds as are narrow at the edge, and do not expand like the common forms of celt, will be found described.
| Fig. 159. Reach Fen. ½ | Fig. 160. Carlton Rode. ½ |
The small tool shown in Fig. 159 may safely be regarded as a chisel. It does not show the slightest trace of ever having been intended to have a loop, and is indeed too light for a hatchet. It was found with a tanged chisel, a hammer, numerous socketed celts, and other articles, in the hoard from Reach Fen, Cambridge, already mentioned at p. 112. I have seen another, 2⅛ inches long, with a somewhat oval socket and no loop, which was found in Mildenhall Fen, and was in the collection of the Rev. S. Banks, of Cottenham.