42 ORNAMENT ON THE EARLY CROSSES OF CORNWALL. 



to the probable origin of Celtic interlaced work, which would 

 have been far better employed in studying the details of the 

 ornament itself. The fact is, that the idea of interlaced bands 

 applied to decorative purposes may have been suggested in a 

 variety of different ways, as for example by any twisted, plaited, 

 or woven fabric, or by braidwork patterns sewn upon garments. 

 Mr. Anderson has pointed out that this species of ornament is to 

 be found upon the works of art of most periods and of most 

 nations, 2 the only difference between Celtic knot-work and that 

 produced elsewhere being, that in the former case it was made 

 one of the leading features of the style of decoration, and was 

 developed with an amount of ingenuity quite unparalleled, 

 whereas in the latter case only the simpler kinds of interlaced 

 patterns occur, and they generally occupy a very subordinate 

 position in designs where more favoured forms predominate. 

 The other authors who have dealt with this subject in the most 

 rational manner are Professor Westwood 8 and the Eev. J. Gr. 

 Cumming." 4 



Prof. J. 0. Westwood 5 commencing an article on Celtic 

 ornament, says "The genius of the inhabitants of the British 

 Isles has, in all ages, been indicated by productions of a class or 

 style singularly at variance with those of the rest of the world. 

 Peculiar as are our characteristics at the present time, those of 

 our forefathers from the remotest ages have been equally so. In 

 the fine arts our immense Druidical temples are still the wonder 

 of the beholder, and in succeeding ages gigantic stone crosses 

 . . . .most elaborately carved and ornamented with devices of a 

 style unlike those of other nations, exhibited the old genius for 

 lapidary erections under a modified form, inspired by a new 

 faith." 



We must not, however, leave the subject without some obser- 

 vations on the character and style of this Cornish work, one 

 important feature is the adaptability of the material with which 

 these primitive workmen had to deal. In districts where the 

 stone is easily manipulated the work is found to be considerably 



2 " Scotland in Early Christian Times," 2nd series, p. 111. 



3 Journal of the Archaeological Institute, Vol. VII, p. 17, and "Vol. x, p. 285. 



4 Archseolgia Cambrensis, 1886, p. 156. 



5 " The Grammar of Ornament," Owen Jones, p. 90 (London 1868). 



