19 



Of a smaller size, but of the dog-head pattern, with projecting knobs, 

 and elliptical ornament, is No. 2390, which presents more of the Irish 

 than the Northern form of decoration. It weighs 410 grains, and was 

 originally gilt on the top. 



Another description of weight decoration is that figured in the 

 cut of No. 2391, weighing 960 grains, which, when perfect, must 

 have been of exceeding beauty, and quite equal to anything capable 

 of being effected in enamel in the present day. Let into the copper 

 capsule is a circular plate, rising into a central cone, and cut out 

 into exceedingly fine lines on the flat surface, for holding pi acquets 

 of enamel, ten in nnmber, and alternately plain yellow, and minute 

 white patterns on a blue ground, as shown in the cut. The central 

 boss is red enamel, and its apex blue. Traces of the gilding can 

 also be observed on the rim and cone, which latter appears to have 

 had the gold applied before the enamel was laid on, no doubt for 

 some good artistic purpose. Interspaced with the yellow and blue are 

 a series of small chambers, also filled with enamel, which at present 

 presents a greenish-grey appearance, and no doubt encircled the disc. 

 This beautiful article is undoubtedly the finest specimen of minute ena- 

 melling that has been discovered in this country, and probably, for its 

 assumed age, in any other part of Europe ; and must, when perfect, with 

 its five distinctly coloured and most accurately adjusted enamels, have 

 presented a very beautiful appearance. The idea presented by the form 

 is evidently that of a shield ; and if a facsimile of it could now be pro- 

 duced by any of our jewellers, it would form a most beautiful ornament. 



The third cut, No. 2392, is of the same class, but neither so beau- 

 tifully designed, nor originally so effective in colour. The interspaces 

 were filled with crimson enamel surrounding the silver or white metal 

 pattern. It weighs 465 grains. 



The fourth figure in the foregoing series of illustrations, No. 2393, 

 is a leaden weight, of 1850 grains, also drawn the full size ; the top zig- 

 zag decoration is silver, most beautifully inlaid on a mixture of gold 

 and copper. 



The fifth, No. 2394, is of a different form and material from all the 

 others ; the sides are formed of white metal, and the top of blue ribbed 

 glass. The interior is lead, which at the bottom presents two ancient 

 cruciform cuttings, as if made to lessen its weight, which at present is 

 537 grains. The four remaining weights are circular. No. 2395, weigh- 

 ing 1225 grains, is most elaborately decorated at top with a scroll or 

 knotted pattern, highly gilt, and surrounding the remains of a central 

 jewel, probably an amethyst, of which a portion remains. Its decora- 

 tion is a mixture of Prankish and Irish art. No. 2396, weighing 631 

 grains, is smaller, and has a very elaborate scroll pattern raised above 

 the level of the sides. No. 2397 is an iron stud, evidently the base 

 or central portion of a weight, and which gives us a clue to the rusty 

 appearance observable on some of these weights, as well as the waj 7 " 

 in which they were constructed, viz., the iron nucleus, surrounded with 

 a hoop, into which the decorated head or top disc was inserted, and then 



