OF THE BRONZE AGE. 



Even the ornamentation in circles, spirals, etc., on the 

 bronze objects is mostly cast, and though beautifully drawn, 

 was evidently done with the free hand ; compasses seem there- 

 fore to have been unknown. 



In some cases, however, the ornamentation appears to have 

 been engraved on the objects themselves. For this purpose 

 short instruments were used, in which there was a much 

 larger proportion of tin than usual. Such implements are 

 very hard, but at the same time very brittle, and therefore not 

 suited for ordinary purposes. Instruments of this character, 

 though rare, have been met with in the great bronze find at 

 Larnaud and elsewhere. 



On some of the bronze vessels the ornamentation has been 

 produced by hammering. This, however, indicates a consider- 

 able progress in metallurgy. 



FIG 64. 



Gold Torque. Ireland. Found near Clonmacnoise. 



