Scotland in Pagan Times; The Iron AgeAnderson, Joseph
History
Scotland in Pagan Times; The Iron Age
Anderson, Joseph
Scotland -- Antiquities
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).']
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