Fig. 131.—Bronze Armlet. Back view. measures 4¼ inches in its greatest internal diameter, and 3 inches in greatest width across the middle of the circular expansion at the extremity. Its weight is 31¾ oz. The openings in the terminal expansions are smaller than in the other armlets, and the projecting ornaments bolder and less uniform in character. Seen from the back (Fig. [131]) it presents an appearance so similar to the form of those previously described that it is difficult to detect the variation. But on comparing the plans of the armlet given in outline (Fig. [132]) with those of the other armlets (Figs. [120] and [123]), the
Fig. 132.—Plan of Ornamentation of Bronze Armlet. difference is apparent at a glance. By throwing the furrows obliquely, which in the other armlets are parallel to the major axis of the form, and by cutting off the marginal ridges abruptly at the expansions of the rounded ends, the form of this armlet is changed into the similitude of a continuous band folded back upon itself from the two ends in opposite directions. Although it possesses no distinctly zoomorphic character, it thus assumes a suggestively serpentine appearance. This special variety of form is also exhibited by an armlet (Fig. [133]), found near Seafield Tower, in the neighbourhood of Kinghorn, in Fife, which is at present exhibited in the Museum. Its ornament (Fig. [134]) is somewhat different in character, and the projections less prominent. It measures 5¼ inches in its longest diameter internally, and 2⅞ inches across the middle of the circular expansions at each extremity.
Fig. 133.—Bronze Armlet found near Seafield Tower, Fife. Front view, seen sideways (5¼ inches in diameter).
Fig. 134.—Bronze Armlet found near Seafield Tower, Fife. Back view (5¼ inches in diameter).]
Fig. 135.—Bronze Armlet found near Newry, County Down, Ireland (5 inches in diameter).
From these descriptions it appears that there are two distinct varieties of one strongly-marked typical form of massive bronze armlet, decorated in a style of art which is remarkable for the special Celticism of its characteristics. It is a form which is found over a wide area in Scotland, and has only been once found out of Scotland. The single example which carries the area of the form beyond the bounds of this country was found near Newry, in County Down, Ireland (Fig. [135]). It is 5 inches in its greatest diameter, and 3½ inches in height, and belongs to the transitional variety, which links this typical form with the zoomorphic type, which I next proceed to describe.