IRISH JEWELRY 
bronze plate, highly carved and gilt, in which are 
fine enamels in green. 
“The extreme outer edge, like the reverse side, is 
divided into eight spaces, in which are pieces some- 
what similar to the gold plaques on the opposite side, 
with this difference, that six are in silver, and two in 
copper; two of the silver pieces are of the most 
beautiful plated wirework I have ever met with. 
Between those spaces are square pieces of blue glass, 
underneath which are ornamented pieces of wrought 
silver, which give them a brilliant appearance when 
in strong light. Between the circles which form the 
upper and under surfaces of the rim of the foot are 
plates of lead to secure and give weight to the whole. 
The enamels on the foot of the cup are of a coarse 
kind, the pattern being impressed in the glass, and 
the enamel melted into it. The number of pieces 
of which the cup is composed amounts to 354, in- 
cluding 20 rivets. 
“The ornamental designs upon this cup belong to 
the Celtic School of Art, which, according to Dr. 
Petrie, reach its highest perfection as regards metal- 
work in this country in the tenth and eleventh cen- 
turies. Of these designs there are about forty 
different varieties, all showing a freedom of inven- 
tive power and play of fancy only to be equalled 
by the work upon the so-called Tara brooch. 
“There are two varieties of birds, with heads, 
necks, and legs elongated, and interlaced; and 
also animal forms interlaced. There are four 
dragons’ heads, with sharp teeth which bear a strong 
resemblance to drawings of similar objects in the 
‘Book of Armagh’; also dogs, whose long protrud- 
ing tongues form a knot above their heads. 
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