character, which constitutes a link of connection [Illustration: Fig.
130.—Bronze Armlet, locality unknown, but probably from Bunrannoch,
Perthshire (4½ inches in diameter).] between them and an equally
remarkable class of armlets characterised by the same style of art, but
exhibiting in their form a more distinctly zoomorphic feeling. Of this
intermediate variety there are two specimens known in Scotland. The
locality of the first specimen (Fig. 130) is unknown, although there is
some probability that it may be one of the two previously mentioned as
having been found at Bunrannoch, in Perthshire. It [Illustration: 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 [Illustration: 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.
[Illustration: Fig. 133.—Bronze Armlet found near Seafield Tower, Fife.
Front view, seen sideways (5¼ inches in diameter).]
[Illustration: Fig. 134.—Bronze Armlet found near Seafield Tower, Fife.
Back view (5¼ inches in diameter).]]
[Illustration: 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.
[Illustration: Fig. 136.—Bronze Armlet found in the sands of Culbin.
Front view (3½ inches in diameter).]
Some time before 1827 a man shooting over that wide waste of sand known
as the Culbin Sands, near the mouth of the Findhorn, accidentally lost
his gun-flint. He knew, however, that in a special locality among these
sand hills there is, on the site of an ancient settlement of the hunters
of prehistoric times, a spot which is thickly strewn with fragments of
flint, which these early hunters, who also used this material, had
accumulated in the manufacture of their arrow-heads and other
implements. Accordingly, he proceeded to this ancient flint factory to
furnish himself with a new gun-flint, and when looking about for a
suitable flake for his purpose he found a large and finely-made armlet
of bronze (Fig. 136), which he carried with him and sold to a shopkeeper
in Forres for half-a-crown. It subsequently passed into the possession
of Lady Cumming of Altyre, by whom it is now exhibited in the Museum. It
was described by Sir Thomas Dick Lauder, and engraved in the
_Transactions_ of the Society so long ago as 1827. At that time it stood
alone, and was regarded more as a curiosity than as a work of art. Now
it stands as the representative of a peculiar class of art-products,
which, so far as we know, are confined to Scotland alone. Its form is
that of an armlet, formed of a coiled, double-headed serpent. It
measures 3½ inches in diameter, and the same in depth externally. Its
internal diameter is 2½ inches, and its weight 2 lbs. 9½ oz. It is a
single casting in bronze, convex externally, concave internally,
throughout the length of the coils, which, though closely contiguous,
are completely separate, so that a sheet of paper can pass between them.
There are three complete coils, and the middle coil (as seen in Fig.
137) is symmetrically ornamented with lozenge-shaped spaces, bounded by
curves, and of considerable prominence. Each end terminates in a
snake-like head, the eyes of which are set with blue glass. In front of
the eyes is a round disc, sunk in the metal, which has probably been
filled with enamel. The upper part of the head and neck is ornamented
with raised trumpet-shaped scrolls, and about three inches behind the
terminal head there is a simulation of a second head, the eyes of which
are also set with blue glass. Speaking of it as a work of art, Sir Henry
Ellis unhesitatingly calls it Roman work of the very best period, while
Sir Thomas Dick Lauder observes that its workmanship is most beautiful.
The taste which it displays, he says, is exquisite, and the detail
executed with the greatest delicacy. And he further remarks that the
natural form of the serpent has not been servilely and awkwardly copied,
“as one might expect that a workman in an infant state of society would
have done.” But there is nothing in the character of the work, or in the
nature of the art, to suggest that the workman belonged to an infant
state of society. The technical skill displayed in modelling and casting
such a difficult piece of work is undoubtedly of a very high order, and
he would be considered a good workman to-day who could turn out an
equally well finished casting of the kind. As to the design of the
decoration there can be but one opinion. It possesses the merits of
originality of conception, boldness of treatment, purity of style, and
freedom of execution. It is decoration, also, of that complex kind which
unites the effects of colour with those of form, and deals harmoniously
with the results of such diverse processes as modelling in relief,
chasing and engraving, the setting of jewels, and the fixing of enamels.
The qualities of brain and hand that conceived and executed this piece
of metal-work are not to be estimated solely by the results they have
obtained in this single example. The man who did this was capable of
much higher work if higher work had come in his way, and this solitary
specimen of the work of an unknown artist is at least as interesting for
the potentiality which it reveals as for the actual ability which it so
clearly displays.
[Illustration: Fig. 137.—Bronze Armlet found in the sands of Culbin,
Elginshire. Back view.]
[Illustration: Fig. 138.—Bronze Armlet found at Pitalpin, near Dundee.]
In the same year in which this armlet was first exhibited to the society
(_i.e._ in 1827) another of similar character (Fig. 138) was presented
to the Museum by the Dowager-Countess of Morton. It had been found at
Pitalpin, near Dundee in 1732; but no record of the circumstances in
which it was found is now extant. It is smaller than the one previously
described, though still of greater size and weight than would now be
considered convenient for wear as an article of personal adornment. It
measures 3 inches in diameter, and about 3¼ inches in width externally,
and has an internal diameter of 2½ inches. Its weight is almost 2 lbs.
It is a single casting of bronze, consisting of three coils, of a
serpentine form, convex externally and slightly concave within. The
serpent-like body of the armlet is ornamented with transverse grooves on
either side of a double furrow, running from end to end along the centre
of the coils. The terminal portions are formed into the similitude of
heads, but there are no settings for the eyes, and the zoomorphic
character of the work is but feebly expressed. Nevertheless it is
clearly an example of the same typical form and character of art as the
Altyre specimen.
Another example, of smaller size (Fig. 139), is also in the Museum, but
unfortunately nothing is known regarding its locality and the
circumstances in which it was found. Like [Illustration: Fig.
139.—Bronze Armlet (locality unknown).] the others it is a single
casting of bronze, of three coils of a serpentine form, closely
contiguous but not joined to each other by their edges. The coils are
ribbed or banded transversely, with smoothly rounded sections on the
surface between the bands. The ends are formed into the similitude of
animals’ heads. The metal is thin and finely patinated, and the size and
weight of the armlet are not excessive. Its internal diameter is 2½
inches, its depth across the coils 2¼ inches, and its weight 9¾ oz.
[Illustration: Fig. 140.—Bronze Armlet found at Grange of Conan, near
Arbroath, Forfarshire (2¾ inches in diameter).']
A fourth of these armlets (Fig. 140), closely resembling the last in
form and character, but slightly larger in size, was found in 1874 in
the course of the excavation of an underground structure at Grange of
Conan, near Arbroath, in Forfarshire. The structure was of the same
character as that in connection with which the pair of massive bronze
armlets with enamels (Figs. 115, 116) were found at Castle Newe, in
Aberdeenshire. The special features of these structures with their
contents, and their relations, will be discussed in a subsequent
lecture, and it is only necessary in this connection to mark the
association of the two forms of armlets with the one type of structure.
The armlet itself (Fig. 140) is a single casting of bronze, consisting
of three coils, of a serpentine form, divided from each other by a
somewhat wider interspace than in any of the other instances, and
slightly more convex externally. The metal is thin, and the size and
weight of the armlet are not excessive. Its internal diameter is 2⅝
inches, and its depth across the coils 2¼ inches, its weight being about
10 oz.
In these spiral snake-like armlets, we have a class of objects
exhibiting a distinct and strongly marked typical character. They are
articles of personal adornment, possessing a very special form and style
of ornament. Both by the peculiarity of their form and the specialty of
their style of ornament they are closely allied to the class of more
massive and more peculiar articles of adornment previously described.
Like them also they are peculiarly restricted in range. The area over
which they have been found, so far as we know, is confined to the
eastern portion of Scotland, between the Moray Firth and the Firth of
Tay. No specimen is known beyond the bounds of Scotland.
* * * * *
In this connection, also, there falls to be described a class of objects
of peculiar type, presenting features of decoration which are
essentially Celtic in character. They are mostly carved in stone, but
there is one example in bronze which supplies the link between them and
the metal-work to which by their decoration they are most closely
allied.
[Illustration: Fig. 141.—Ball of cast bronze, found at Walston,
Lanarkshire (actual size).]]
This object (Fig. 141) is a ball of cast bronze, found at Walston,
Lanarkshire, long in the collection of the late Adam Sim, of Coulter,
and now in the National Museum. It is 1½ inch in diameter, divided into
hemispheres, which differ considerably in the colour of the metal. Each
hemisphere has a different variety of ornament, although the arrangement
is the same in both. The surface of the ball is divided into six discs,
three in the one hemisphere and three in the other. The discs are
separated from each other by deeply hollowed grooves, and each disc in
the upper hemisphere is ornamented by a spiral groove, terminating in a
zoomorphic ending. The lower hemisphere is similarly treated, except
that the spirals are simply geometric in their character.
[Illustration: Fig. 142.—Ornamented Slate Ball, from Elgin (actual
size).]
A ball of clay slate, 2⅞ inches diameter, from Elgin (Fig. 142), of
which there is a cast in the Museum, has its surface divided into four
projecting discs of considerable convexity, one of which is completely
covered with a double spiral pattern, from which smaller spirals escape,
but not in the regular manner so characteristic of the double spirals of
the Celtic manuscripts and monuments of the Christian time. Another disc
shows the commencement of an unfinished spiral. The two remaining discs
are plain.
[Illustration: Fig. 143.—Ornamented Stone Ball found in the Glas Hill,
Towie, Aberdeenshire (3 inches in diameter).]
At the Glas Hill, in the parish of Towie, Aberdeenshire, in 1860, a
finely ornamented ball of this description (Fig. 143) was found in
digging a drain, and is now in the National Museum. It is of clay slate,
fine-grained in texture, and dark in colour. It measures almost 3 inches
in diameter, and has its surface divided into four boldly projecting
discs with considerable convexity, three of which are elaborately carved
and the fourth plain. Its ornamentation consists of double spirals, wavy
lines arranged concentrically, interrupted concentric circles and
escaping spirals, but the lines are not continuous, and the patterns are
not worked out with the regularity and precision so conspicuous in the
style of the Christian time when the escaping double spiral formed such
a characteristic element of Celtic decoration. In the triangular space
between the three ornamented discs is a group of three dots arranged as
a triangle.[69]
-----
Footnote 69:
This arrangement of triple dots is a very characteristic feature of
the illuminated Celtic manuscripts. It appears also on the monuments
and metal work of the Christian time. This is the only instance of its
occurrence on these balls, and though it may be held to suggest a
possible connection, the suggestion is too feeble to imply distinct
relationship.
-----
[Illustration: Fig. 144.—Ornamented Stone Ball found at Freelands,
Glasterlaw, Forfarshire (3 inches in diameter)]
[Illustration: Fig. 145.—Ornamented Stone Ball found at Fordoun,
Kincardineshire (2¾ inches in diameter).]
A ball of fine-grained clay slate (Fig. 144) found at Freelands, near
Glasterlaw, Forfarshire, has six projecting discs of slight convexity
arranged upon its surface; but the discs are small in proportion to the
size of the ball and the interspaces wide. The discs themselves are
plain, but the interspaces are partially ornamented. In the space
between three contiguous discs is a pattern composed of three triangular
figures within each other, formed by the meeting of curved or segmental
lines. In the next contiguous space is a double spiral.
A ball of fine-grained dark-coloured sandstone (Fig. 145), found at
Fordoun, in Kincardineshire, has its surface divided into seven circular
compartments, some of which are simply incised with concentric circles,
while in others there is a border of chevrony ornament enclosing the
concentric circles.
[Illustration: Fig. 146.—Ornamented Stone Ball, in the collection of Sir
J. Noel Paton (2¾ inches in diameter).]
An example in the collection of Sir J. Noel Paton (Fig. 146) presents a
different style of ornament. It is of hornblendic schist, 2¾ inches in
diameter, and has its surface divided into six projecting discs, carved
with concentric bands of slight convexity, the bands increasing in width
and prominence towards the centre of the disc. The spaces between the
discs are ornamented by irregular scoopings of the surface as if with
the point of a gouge-like tool—a variety of decoration also seen in the
gold object found on Cairnmuir (Fig. 114).
[Illustration: Fig. 147.—Ornamented Stone Ball found at Ballater,
Aberdeenshire (2⅞ inches in diameter).]
On the top of Craig Beg, near Ballater, previous to 1864, three stone
cists were found containing interments which, from the presence of ashes
and bones, were assigned to the Pagan custom of cremation. Each cist was
also surrounded by a number of boulder-stones arranged in a circle of
about 15 feet in diameter. Close to one of these cists a stone ball
(Fig. 147) was found, having its surface divided into six circular discs
of slight convexity, and some of the interspaces between the discs
ornamented with small, rounded, slightly projecting knobs.
[Illustration: Fig. 148.—Ornamented Stone Ball found in the Tay near
Perth.]
A ball of fine-grained claystone, in the Perth Museum (Fig. 148), which
is said to have been dredged up from the Tay, has its surface divided
into four circular discs which scarcely project beyond the circular
outline of the ball, and impinge upon each other. In one of the discs
the ornament consists of projecting knobs, arranged in rows both ways by
the channels between them crossing each other at right angles. The knobs
rise from a square base, and are rounded at the summits. This is also
the character of the prickly ornament of the hemispheres of the terminal
bulbs of the penannular brooches of silver found at Skaill, to which the
ornament on the disc of this stone ball has a distinct resemblance. The
treatment of the segmental spaces between the discs is also seen in the
example from Freelands, Glasterlaw (Fig. 144), and the simply incised
ornament of the remaining discs occurs on two other balls (Figs. 149,
150), which have each but one of their discs ornamented.
[Illustration: Fig. 149.—Ornamented Stone Ball found at Inverawe (2⅝
inches diameter).]
[Illustration: Fig. 150.—Ornamented Stone Ball found at Loch Lochy (3
inches diameter).]
[Illustration: Fig. 151.—Ornamented Stone Ball found in the Isle of Skye
(2¾ inches in diameter).]
An example from the island of Skye (Fig. 151) has its surface covered
with small hemispherical protuberances. This variety is akin to another
which has the whole surface studded with projections of a pyramidal
form. Two balls of this latter variety (Figs. 152, 153) were found in
one of the chambers of a curious composite structure, or group of
structures, situated close to the shore on the south side of the Bay of
Skaill, in the mainland of Orkney.[70] One of these (Fig. 152) has the
central portion pierced with a hole. The perforation is roughly made,
and considerably wider at its external orifices than in the centre,
where it is less than half an inch in diameter.
-----
Footnote 70:
This structure, which was explored by Mr. William Watt, consisted of
several sub-rectangular chambers with rounded corners, having small
cell-like constructions opening off them. The chambers were arranged
on both sides of a long winding passage. Their door-ways had checks
for the doors, and bar-holes behind them. The largest chamber was
about 20 feet square. From 6 to 8 feet of the height of the walls
remained. They were dry-built, and converged towards the upper part as
if to form beehive roofs. Hearths of square form, surrounded by
flagstones on edge, were found in the floors. Many implements of stone
and bone were found in the chambers, and a large accumulation of bones
and horns of animals, among which those of the red-deer and the _Bos
primigenius_ were abundant. Among the stone implements were several
polished celts. The collection is preserved at Skaill House.
-----
[Illustration: Figs. 152, 153.—Stone Balls found in an ancient structure
at Skaill, Orkney (3½ inches and 3 inches in diameter).]
Another Orkney example (Fig. 154) is allied to these two by the
character of its ornamentation. One of its ends is studded with
pyramidal projections, the middle portion is ornamented by a continuous
spiral, and the other end is filled by a peculiar arrangement of
segmental curves.
[Illustration: Fig. 154.—Ornamented Stone Ball found at Hillhead, near
Kirkwall, Orkney. Obverse and Reverse (2¾ inches diameter).]
[Illustration: Fig. 155.—Stone Ball found in Dumfriesshire.]
[Illustration: Fig. 156.—Stone Ball found at Dudwick, Aberdeenshire.]
[Illustration: Fig. 157.—Stone Ball found at Mountblairy, Banffshire.]
[Illustration: Fig. 158.—Carved Stone found at Muckle Geddes, Nairn.]
Many of these balls, however, have their discs destitute of ornament.
But whether decorated or undecorated, they usually present the strongly
marked typical form, which varies from the approximately circular with
rounded discs, like the examples shown from Dumfriesshire (Fig. 155),
and Dudwick, in Aberdeenshire (Fig. 156), to those from Mountblairy, in
Banffshire (Fig. 157), and Muckle Geddes, in Nairnshire (Fig. 158),
which take the form of a cylindrical axis with flat-ended cylindrical
projections radiating round its circumference.
In all their varieties of form, these objects present certain features
which are suggestive of a possible use as weapons. Their ornate
character, their specialty of form, which renders them capable of being
swung by thongs or bound to the end of a handle, and the fact that one
example is pierced by a hole, are indications in this direction.
Although there is no conclusive evidence of the fact, it is at least
conceivable that they may have been mounted as mace-heads similar to
those metal mace-heads with pyramidal projections which are found
occasionally among the relics of the Iron Age, and continued in use in
the early Middle Ages, and similar, at least in appearance, to the
mace-heads shown (Fig. 159) in the hands of unmounted men in the Bayeux
Tapestry.[71]
[Illustration: Fig. 159.—Unmounted men armed with maces. From the Bayeux
Tapestry.]
-----
Footnote 71:
Dr. John Alexander Smith has discussed this point fully in his
exhaustive notice of these Stone Balls in _Proc. Soc. Antiq. Scot._,
pp. 56-62. Dr. John Evans remarks that “it seems probable that they
were intended for use in the chase or in war when attached to a thong
which the recesses between the projecting discs seem well adapted to
receive.” He also states that "these Scottish Stone Balls seem to
belong to a recent period, as compared with that to which many other
stone antiquities may be assigned."—_Ancient Stone Implements, etc.,
of Great Britain_, pp. 377-379.
-----