1st Edition

Celtic Craftsmanship in Bronze

By H.E. Kilbride-Jones Copyright 1980
    268 Pages
    by Routledge

    266 Pages
    by Routledge

    This book is primarily concerned with the craftsmanship of the Bronzesmiths of Britain and Ireland during the period from the beginning of the first century AD until the end of the seventh century. The period covered takes in a number of eras: the pre-Occupation era of the first century; the Romano-British period; and the so-called Dark Ages. What happened during these seven centuries is treated as a continuing story and only external events and political and religious thinking can have any effect on the forms which were fabricated. The Celts are known to have been expert metal workers and from the artistic point of view they are known to have been expert at designing bold eye-catching patterns. Yet the Celt had no art motifs which can be said to have been endemic to his world, but took over a number of classical patterns and by the exercise of his imagination produced motifs with a compelling personality which is at once seen to be thoroughly Celtic.

    The book is divided into four parts, each having its own historical introduction. Irish material is included in each period, since there were close links between the bronzesmiths of Britain and Ireland, and the art of one affected the other. Methods of manufacture are examined, as are the range of styles and the origins of forms and motifs, including isolating some as from certain localised workshops. Originally published in 1980.

    Preface.  Prologue  Part 1: Basic Information  1. Introduction  2. Factories  3. Forms and Motifs  4. Patterns  Part 2: Pre- and Early-Invasion Styles  5. Introduction  6. The Galloway Style  7. The Elmswell-Broighter Style  8. The Aesica Style  9. Broken-back Scrolls and Triskeles  10. Trappings  11. Mirrors  12. Weapons  13. Craftsmanship in Ireland i  14. The Soghain and the Cruithin  Part 3: Post-Invasion Styles  15. Introduction  16. Beaded Torcs  17. Craftsmanship in Caledonia  18. Dress-fasteners  19. Dragonesque Brooches  20. Horse Trappings  21. Pins, and the Atlantic Province  22. Zoomorphic Penannular Brooches  23. Craftsmanship in Ireland ii  Part 4: Post-Occupation Styles  24. Introduction  25. Craftsmanship in Ireland iii  26. Hanging-bowls  27. Epilogue

    Biography

    H.E. Kilbride-Jones