310 Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy. 



Miscellaneous Objects. 



The descriptions of the following miscellaneous objects, numbers 62-82 

 and SS-100, have been allowed to stand in their original form. The various 

 antiquities described appear to be for the most part foreign and not of an 

 important character. The most curious point is the statement that nos. 63-70 

 and number 96 were found in an oak box in the excavation for the harbour 

 wall at the mouth of the river Boyne, near Drogheda, and the Tara brooch 

 with them. The editor has not been able to find any confirmation of this 

 assertion, and previously the Tara brooch has been said to have been found 

 in 1850 on the strand at Betaghstown, near Drogheda, Nothing appears to 

 be known as to other antiquities having been found with it, while of the 

 objects (numbers 63-70 and number 96) stated to have been so found, none 

 appear to be Irish, with the possible exception of the twelve beads (number 68), 

 which may have been rosary beads. Of the remainder number 63 may be 

 oriental ; numbers 64, 65, and 66 are possibly of European origin. Numbers 

 67 and 69 may be oriental, while number 96 is probably some form of 

 chatelaine of Bussian origin. 



62. Silver top of sword-pommel inlaid with fine wire filigree. Burchased 

 from Mr. Murray. See Proceedings E.I.A., vol. vi, p. 203; weight 



2 oz. 16 dwts. 3 grs. 63. Silver handle, composed of fifteen square wires 

 twisted into a spiral bundle round a central wire, and in the opposite 

 directions from the centre of the handle are attached on the concavity 

 and convexity of it two round knobs of beads. Bortions of this, as examined 

 by Mr. Mallet, contained 95-87 per cent, of silver, 3-59 per cent, of copper, 

 •17 per cent, of gold. See Transactio r n& R.I.A., vol. xxii, Bt. I, p. 319, no. 7; 

 weight, S oz. 7 dwts. 4 grs. This was found with no. 96 and nos. 64-70 

 in the excavation for the harbour wall at the mouth of the river Boyne, 

 near Drogheda. in an oak box, and along with them the brooch called that of 

 Tara. It is said that the boxes covered with filigree work, numbers 64 and 65, 

 were attached to the ends of number 63. 64. Silver box covered with 

 filigree work, imperfect at the top, and having at the upper end of each 

 narrow side a round knob attached, which, as well as the box, appears lo have 

 been subject to much friction. See no. 63 ; weight 1 oz. 8 dwts. 20 grs. 

 65. Silver box similar in every respect to no. 64, except that it is nearly 

 perfect at the top. See no. 63 ; weight 1 oz. 9 dwts. 14 grs. 66. Chased 

 hollow bangle with hinge-joint, on either side of which it was beautifully 

 ornamented on the convex surface for a length of nearly 5 inches ; weight 



3 oz. 8 dwts. 3 grs. The bracelet, or a part of its hinge, was examined by 



