these objects a tolerably certain means of determining how far any articles of bronze thus discovered may be regarded as belonging to the bronze-period or not; and by enquiring in what countries similar antiquarian ornaments exist, we shall doubtless in time arrive at a better knowledge of the relations which the then existing nations bore to each other than we now possess. The most characteristic ornaments of the bronze period, and at the same time those most frequently used, but which, as might be expected, occur with more or less of variation, may be arranged in four classes. Spiral ornaments are the most peculiar, and also the most ancient. The ring ornaments occur particularly on objects of larger size, for instance on the lures or trumpets, shields, and the like, and appear to be more modern[1]; while the wave ornaments may be regarded as the most modern, and as forming the transition to those ornaments which became general in the iron-period.
Spiral ornament. |
Double Spiral. | |
Ring Ornament. |
Wave Ornament. |
The question will here very naturally arise, were these bronzes wrought in Denmark itself, or were they brought in a finished state from other countries. The answer to this question is not without importance to our history. For if we
- ↑ Similar designs, namely designs consisting of concentric rings, are found on the gold ornaments discovered in Ireland.—T.
