DOI Heft:
Nr. 341 (October 1925)
DOI Artikel:Buckley, Eileen: Ring brooches of medieval Ireland
DOI Seite / Zitierlink: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.19986#0059
mceRnACionAL
effect frequently found on tenth
century work. A detail of special
interest is the Gaelic inscription
now scarcely visible. It reads:
"Or Ar Chirmac," meaning "A
Prayer for Kirwick," or "Kirby"
These words, doubtless, offer a
clue to the former ownership of
the pin, but do not assist in
determining its date.
Very different from the pre-
ceding is the character of the
Cavan Brooch, sometimes re-
ferred to as the "Queen's
Brooch." Made of gilt bronze,
it was discovered in County
Kilkenny and is attributed to
the twelfth century. The orna-
mentation consists solely of
carving and filigree, no settings
of any description being used.
The upper part of the hoop is
treated in a mode somewhat
uncommon. Instead of being
flattened, as is most frequently
the case with this type of fibula,
this portion of the brooch re-
tains its tubular form and is
overlaid with magnificent deep
carving. The chief decoration
on the terminal rings consists of
handsomely carved motifs,
shaped similar to a trefoil, this
device being repeated on the
pinhead. Finely carved human
heads occur at the upper and lower juncture of the mery Brooch, the influence of the same school
terminal plates. being suggested. The pinhead of the Killamery
Three of the four brooches found with the Brooch and those of both the smaller Ardagh
Chalice of Ardagh are of the same class as the pins are very much alike, the enamel work on all
foregoing. They are of silver, partly gilt, and fine three resembling that on the Ardagh Chalice,
specimens of metalcraft. The largest, commonly One of the loveliest of the true penannular
called the Ardagh Brooch, closely resembles the fibulae is the Kilmainham Brooch, in which the
design of the Tara pin, although far less orna- ring plates are not joined. Its highly decorative
mental. The decoration is exceedingly lovely, terminals are in the form of a quatrefoil, giving
however, displaying numerous panels of filigree the brooch the general shape of a horse-shoe. The
interlacements, in addition to fine gilt bosses ornamental work on the ring plates is grouped
adorned with cruciform motifs in turquoise blue about a square motif in relief, showing an inter-
cloisonne. In size the Ardagh Brooch approximates lacing device that is especially interesting on
the Killamery fibula, being four and three-quarters account of its surprising similarity to a figure
inches wide. found woven in Coptic textiles of the seventh
Two of the other pins of the Ardagh find are century. At the head of the hoop appears an
very similar to each other, the general shape of elegant ornament inlaid with filigree and set with
their terminals being sub-triangular, with the colored glass, the remainder of the ring consisting
principal panels almost identical in form and of panels of filigree interlacements alternating with
decorative treatment. The details of one in par- studs of paste.
ticular bear a marked resemblance to the Killa- The Ballyspellan Brooch, another Kilkenny
THE ARDAGH BROOCH
OCTOBER I925
fifty-nine
effect frequently found on tenth
century work. A detail of special
interest is the Gaelic inscription
now scarcely visible. It reads:
"Or Ar Chirmac," meaning "A
Prayer for Kirwick," or "Kirby"
These words, doubtless, offer a
clue to the former ownership of
the pin, but do not assist in
determining its date.
Very different from the pre-
ceding is the character of the
Cavan Brooch, sometimes re-
ferred to as the "Queen's
Brooch." Made of gilt bronze,
it was discovered in County
Kilkenny and is attributed to
the twelfth century. The orna-
mentation consists solely of
carving and filigree, no settings
of any description being used.
The upper part of the hoop is
treated in a mode somewhat
uncommon. Instead of being
flattened, as is most frequently
the case with this type of fibula,
this portion of the brooch re-
tains its tubular form and is
overlaid with magnificent deep
carving. The chief decoration
on the terminal rings consists of
handsomely carved motifs,
shaped similar to a trefoil, this
device being repeated on the
pinhead. Finely carved human
heads occur at the upper and lower juncture of the mery Brooch, the influence of the same school
terminal plates. being suggested. The pinhead of the Killamery
Three of the four brooches found with the Brooch and those of both the smaller Ardagh
Chalice of Ardagh are of the same class as the pins are very much alike, the enamel work on all
foregoing. They are of silver, partly gilt, and fine three resembling that on the Ardagh Chalice,
specimens of metalcraft. The largest, commonly One of the loveliest of the true penannular
called the Ardagh Brooch, closely resembles the fibulae is the Kilmainham Brooch, in which the
design of the Tara pin, although far less orna- ring plates are not joined. Its highly decorative
mental. The decoration is exceedingly lovely, terminals are in the form of a quatrefoil, giving
however, displaying numerous panels of filigree the brooch the general shape of a horse-shoe. The
interlacements, in addition to fine gilt bosses ornamental work on the ring plates is grouped
adorned with cruciform motifs in turquoise blue about a square motif in relief, showing an inter-
cloisonne. In size the Ardagh Brooch approximates lacing device that is especially interesting on
the Killamery fibula, being four and three-quarters account of its surprising similarity to a figure
inches wide. found woven in Coptic textiles of the seventh
Two of the other pins of the Ardagh find are century. At the head of the hoop appears an
very similar to each other, the general shape of elegant ornament inlaid with filigree and set with
their terminals being sub-triangular, with the colored glass, the remainder of the ring consisting
principal panels almost identical in form and of panels of filigree interlacements alternating with
decorative treatment. The details of one in par- studs of paste.
ticular bear a marked resemblance to the Killa- The Ballyspellan Brooch, another Kilkenny
THE ARDAGH BROOCH
OCTOBER I925
fifty-nine