Antiquities and Works of Art Exhibited
By Mr. C. Roach Smith.—Two large celts or axe-heads of flint, found at Hillyards, near Shanklin, in the Isle of Wight, one of them measuring 9 in. in length by 3 in. greatest diameter; the other nearly 8 in, by 234. Their form is similar to that of celts occurring in all parts of Great Britain (compare the second example in Mr. Dunoyer's Classification of Celts, Archæol. Journal, vol. iv. p. 2);[1] they are of unusually large dimensions, and shaped with remarkable symmetry and skill. A collection of stone weapons, chisels, wedges, &c., from Denmark, illustrative of the chief varieties of form occurring in the North of Europe, and presented to Mr. Roach Smith's Museum by the King of Denmark.[2] Also, a cast of a chisel of bone (of the Bos Urus), found in a bog in Seeland, near Kallundborg. It has been regarded as showing that the Urox existed in that country within historical times after the settlement of inhabitants there.
By Mr. Westwood.—Two combs of sculptured ivory, brought by kind permission of the possessor, Mr. Boöcke. One of them, a relic of Greek art, was found, as stated, at Pompeii; on one of its sides are sculptured the Three Graces, on the other a naked goddess in a car drawn by two leopards. The second comb, found in Wales, is unusually large; it is carved with foliage, figures, and riband ornament, and bears an inscription in which the monograms IHC. and XRS. occur.
By Mr. W. W. Wynne, M.P.—A bronze disc of unknown use, diam. 315 in., thickness about 15 in. It is marked on one side only with three concentric circles engraved upon it. Found in the excavations made by Mr. Wynne at Castell y Bere, July, 1853. A similar disc, found on Wolsonburg Hill, Sussex, where Celts and various ancient reliques have occurred, was sent by Mrs. Weekes to the Museum at the Chichester Meeting of the Institute. Also a leaden dove, with extended wings; there are traces of gilding and silver on the surface, and the body is perforated with two holes, for a chain or cord, so that the dove might, it is supposed, be adjusted as the counterpoise of a lamp, or possibly some sacred object, which it might be requisite to raise and lower at pleasure. Found at Valle Crucis Abbey, Denbighshire. Another found there is now at Corsygedol. Several leaden birds, closely similar to this, have been found, occasionally with or near Roman remains, which has naturally led to the supposition that they may have been eagles attached to a Roman standard. There are three in the Hon. Richard Neville's Museum at Audley End, discovered in the Roman Station at Chesterford, and described in his "Antiqua Explorata;" another was found at Dunstable, by Mr. Inskip, and is now in the Museum of the Cambridge Antiquarian Society.[3]
- ↑ See also the celts found on Upton Lovel Down, "Hoare's Ancient Wilts," vol. i. pl. iv. and v. Similar celts of large size found in the Channel Islands are figured in Journal Archæol. Assoc., vol. iii., p. 128.
- ↑ An extensive series of the various forms of stone antiquities in the North may be seen in the plates accompanying a Memoir published in 1832, by the Northern Antiquaries in the "Nordisk Tidskrift for Oldkyndighed," b. i., p. 421.
- ↑ Journ. Archæol. Assoc, vol. iii., p. 177. Mr. Roach Smith states that he knew of three others in Cambridgeshire, all precisely similar, and he is inclined to think them doves for mediæval lamps. One found near the bridge at Lewes, and described as a Roman eagle, was exhibited in the museum at the Chichester meeting.
