Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 4.djvu/132

 114 AN ACCOUNT OF COINS AND TREASURE lukldle from j of an inch to Ij, and perhaps more; it is probable that they did not quite encircle the arm, the ends being, when worn, at some distance from each other. Sometimes the ends were elongated, and rounded into the form of a thick wire, and twisted together into various forms, as represented in some of the figures. These armlets are generally ornamented, and it may be observed that almost all the ornaments, upon the various articles discovered in this find, are produced by punching with tools of various forms. The patterns are numerous, but the forms of the punches are very few, the variations being pro- duced by combining the forms of more punches than one, or by placing the same or differently formed punches at a greater or less distance from each other, or by varying their direction. Patterns, of the period and localities to which these ornaments belong, are scarcely ever found finished by casting, or chasing ; it would appear also that the use of solder, to unite the various parts of objects, was either little known, or little practised ; for the ends of these ornaments are tied together, and upon other occasions, where union is necessary, rivets are employed. On fig. 12 the ornament consists of straight lines, made by a punch resem- bling a very blunt chisel. On fig. 13 also the ornament consists of straight lines, with holes interspersed, struck by a round pointed punch ; the diagonal lines which are placed crossAvise are not formed by the same punch as those which pass directly across the piece ; these latter have upon one edge some projections which prove their origin from a common punch, and their difference from the lines which form the cross. On fig. 14 the (hisel-shaped punch, which has been used, has had one side of the edge crenated, the other smooth, and, the lines having been struck at some distance apart, a plain line has been left between them.