DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.47496#0104
84 EARL Y CHRISTIAN ART IN IRELAND.
pseudo-enamels, or mosaics, which have been long exposed to the action of
the damp, etc., as the very susible enamels are easily decomposed by water
containing carbonic acid, leaving along the points of contact of the meta
with the glass a residue, osten so like cement as to deceive the most skilled
antiquaries.”
The handles of this chalice are composed of enamels (similar
to those in the borders) and plaques of gold filigree work of the
same style, but different in design. Each handle has four circular
pieces of blue glass, underneath which the rivets are secured
which fasten the handles to the bowl. Round the enamels was a
circle of amber, divided into eight spaces by pieces of bronze,
which has been eaten away. One of the enamels has a circle of
gold grains at the top, which has been pressed in while the glass
was in fusion. The two circular ornaments on the side of the
bowl are of gold filigree work of the very finest kind, with an
enamelled boss in the centre; the frames which hold them are of
silver. There are four settings at equal distances, which are
receivers of the rivets that secure it to the bowl. In the settings
were two pieces of blue glass (the same as in the handles), and
two pieces of amber, which have fallen out.
The stem and supports of the bowl are of bronze metal, gilt,
beautifully carved in interlaced and knotted patterns. They are
attached to the bowl by a bronze gilt ball, with a strong square
tang, and most ingeniously fastened by an iron bolt, which
secures all together.
The foot is of silver, circular, with a framework on the outer
rim, having eight spaces, which are filled alternately with gold and
bronze gilt plaques of open work; behind them pieces of mica
are inserted, which throw out more clearly the very beautiful
pierced designs with which these plaques are ornamented. The
intermediate spaces contain enamels (inferior to those in the
upper part of the bowl), set in bronze.
In the inside of the foot of the bowl is a circular crystal,
round which there has been a circle of amber, divided into
twelve tablets, with a bronze division between each tablet;
pseudo-enamels, or mosaics, which have been long exposed to the action of
the damp, etc., as the very susible enamels are easily decomposed by water
containing carbonic acid, leaving along the points of contact of the meta
with the glass a residue, osten so like cement as to deceive the most skilled
antiquaries.”
The handles of this chalice are composed of enamels (similar
to those in the borders) and plaques of gold filigree work of the
same style, but different in design. Each handle has four circular
pieces of blue glass, underneath which the rivets are secured
which fasten the handles to the bowl. Round the enamels was a
circle of amber, divided into eight spaces by pieces of bronze,
which has been eaten away. One of the enamels has a circle of
gold grains at the top, which has been pressed in while the glass
was in fusion. The two circular ornaments on the side of the
bowl are of gold filigree work of the very finest kind, with an
enamelled boss in the centre; the frames which hold them are of
silver. There are four settings at equal distances, which are
receivers of the rivets that secure it to the bowl. In the settings
were two pieces of blue glass (the same as in the handles), and
two pieces of amber, which have fallen out.
The stem and supports of the bowl are of bronze metal, gilt,
beautifully carved in interlaced and knotted patterns. They are
attached to the bowl by a bronze gilt ball, with a strong square
tang, and most ingeniously fastened by an iron bolt, which
secures all together.
The foot is of silver, circular, with a framework on the outer
rim, having eight spaces, which are filled alternately with gold and
bronze gilt plaques of open work; behind them pieces of mica
are inserted, which throw out more clearly the very beautiful
pierced designs with which these plaques are ornamented. The
intermediate spaces contain enamels (inferior to those in the
upper part of the bowl), set in bronze.
In the inside of the foot of the bowl is a circular crystal,
round which there has been a circle of amber, divided into
twelve tablets, with a bronze division between each tablet;