The First metal objects made in Ireland were flat
copper axe heads. They were cast in a
piece and finally hammered into shape. Later tin was added to the copper
to make bronze.
At the same time the first gold objects were
being made. These were made with nuggets
panned from the rivers, and then hammered out into thin sheets of gold. They
were made
into "sun discs", circles that were possibly sewn onto clothes, and half-moon
type collars.
Circles, bands and raised cones were hammered in from the back.
From 1200 BC, goldsmiths began twisting bracelets,
and torcs, or rings for the neck or body. One Torc found had 2lbs of gold
in it!
Later designs became influenced by a Swiss design,
which were introduced to
the country. The decoration featured animals, birds, human forms, spirals,
plants, and so on. The designs use spread to stone work, manuscripts, and
so on.
In the Iron age bronze pennanular brooches became
popular.
|
