2. A plate of silver, enriched with singular scrolls, or foliated ornaments, in very high relief: three of these remain; there was obviously a fourth, connected with the corresponding scroll by a narrow neck, the plate being formed with an irregular oblong opening in the centre. Dimensions of the plate 412 in. by 4 in.; length of the opening 212 in.; projection of the ornaments more than 14 in. They appear to have been cast, and are formed with great elegance of outline and skilful workmanship. This, probably, is the fragment which had been considered the "mouth-piece of a very large sword- scabbard," as described by Mr. Buist. It may bear some similarity to the plate serving as a guard, on swords of the seventeenth century, but has no parallel in weapons of earlier date, and it may safely be affirmed that it was not destined for such a purpose. There would appear to be a certain analogy in the ornamentation of this curious relic, with the designs on the bronze antiquities found at Polden Hill, and those from Stanwick, now deposited by the Duke of Northumberland in the British Museum. The peculiar element of ornament seems, however, indubitably to be found in decorative bordures of MSS. of the seventh and eighth century, designated as of the Irish-Saxon School; and it may be traced in the "double-spiral" ornament of the Northern Antiquaries. No precise parallel, however, to the type here exhibited, has hitherto been noticed. (See Woodcut, fig. 2.)
3. Two plates described as lozenge-shaped, but the form seems rather to resemble a leaf: they are precisely similar, with the exception only that on one the marginal line has been burnished out: it is still perceptible. Weight, 598 gr. and 517 gr. respectively. They exhibit the mystic symbol, found on sculptured crosses in Scotland, and as it is believed in that country alone. The annexed representation (fig. 3.) of the same size as the original, renders description of this device needless: it is deeply engraved, and the cavities were, very probably, enamelled. It is seen on various cross-stones represented in the works of Gordon, Pennant, and Cordiner, but correctly shown only in the beautiful volume produced by Mr. Chalmers. In these sculptures the Z-shaped symbol sometimes occurs with a serpent twined round it in place of the circles;[1] the extremities are usually branched, and one
- ↑ See sculptures at St. Vigeau's: Chalmers, pl. iii., Meigle, pl. vii., and Ballutherun, pl. viii.
