Objects comprised in Lord Deramor£s Recent Donation, 45 



much in breadth, and also in the shape and curve of the 

 cutting edge, some having the edge almost straight, others 

 half-moon shaped. This is the simplest form of bronze celts, 

 and is supposed to have been suggested by the stone celts 

 which were in such common use in the stone age. These flat 

 celts were either cast in sand, from models of wood or metal, or 

 in moulds cut in sandstone. Some of these moulds have been 

 found. 



The next development of the bronze celt has been called 

 the flanged celt. In this form the sides have been 

 hammered so that a flange has been raised, sometimes scarcely 

 perceptible, and sometimes of considerable breadth ; and 

 later on, if we may use the expression, when a still broader 

 flange was wanted, the moulds were altered or were so made 

 that a bold flange was made in the casting at once. The 

 collection contains nine flanged celts, very interesting specimens, 

 from 4 inches to 5^ inches long, and showing a gradation 

 of flanges from the very slightest to ones that are broad and 

 bold. 



We now come to a most interesting series of celts, called 

 by antiquaries " palstaves," or winged celts. This type shows 

 a distmct advance upon those just named, and has been planned 

 for the much more eflective fixing of the wooden handle. The 

 side flanges have been enlarged and strengthened, and in this 

 way deep hollows have been formed; a ''stop ridge" right 

 across the centre of the celt has been added at both sides, and 

 we can readily see what a fine weapon or implement for war, 

 the chase, or agriculture a well-handled palstave celt would 

 be. 



The Deramore collection contains twenty-six palstaves, 

 from 4 inches to 7 inches long, and of great variety in form and 

 strength. Some show a little ornament. One of the palstaves, 

 6 inches long, has been labelled " Found along with a skeleton 

 near Armagh." Among the palstaves there are three small 

 unfinished narrow celts, about 4:^ inches, much weathered, and 

 almost exactly alike. As these have not an Irish look, I 



