was found accidentally by a
peasant near Drogheda. It is of bronze, decorated with gems and ornament
in enamel, and may probably be of no earlier date than the bell just
alluded to.
[Illustration: Fig. 226.]
A simpler kind of ornamental pin was worn by the lower classes, of which
I give two specimens in Fig. 225, _a_, _b_. They are engraved about half
the size of the originals. The first is a plain pin, with a small ring
hanging from its head. The second is unique in its character, having an
old man's head at its summit: it is of bronze, gilt. As we descend in
the scale of rank, these pins become plainer, the poorer classes using
them of bone, roughly fashioned by themselves.
The common kind of Scottish pins was of very similar character, as the
example placed beside those last described will show. The head of the
pin _c_ projects some distance in advance of it, as seen in the side
view. A small cross is in the centre of the upper part; the other
ornament is convoluted, and is brought into relief by chasing.
The ordinary form of the later Scottish brooch is that of a broad open
circle, decorated with intricate knot-work, or floral designs. Dr.
Wilson, in his "Archaeology and Pre-historic Annals of Scotland," has
engraved one very similar, and says, "The interlaced knot-work appears
to have been a favourite device of Celtic art (Fig. 226). It occurs on
the sculptures, the jewellery, the manuscripts, and the decorated
shrines and bookcases of Early Irish Christian art, and has been
perpetuated almost to our own day on the weapons and personal ornaments
of the Scottish Highlanders."
"The brooch has always been a favourite Celtic ornament, and is, indeed,
almost indispensable to the Highland costume. It is worn universally by
the Scottish Highlanders, both male and female; and in many Highland
families of various ranks, favourite brooches have been preserved
through many generations as heirlooms, which no pecuniary inducement
would tempt their humblest owner to part with."
[Illustration]
ALBERT DUeRER: HIS WORKS, HIS COMPATRIOTS, AND HIS TIMES.
[Illustration: DURER'S WIFE. ALBERT DURER. PIRKHEIMER.]
ALBERT DUeRER: HIS WORKS, HIS COMPATRIOTS, AND HIS TIMES.
Duerer is the one great name which represents early German art in its
pure nationality. In his works we see all its peculiarities and may
study all its merits. It is not without its defects also, but as they
may be honestly considered
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