The gold brooch is figured in the _Ulster Journal_, vol. iv. p. 1.
The interlaced work is present on the reverse hemispheres of the bulbs of one of the largest of the prickly brooches, in the form of a circular pattern (Fig. 68) which is common in Celtic work, and may be seen on several of the sculptured monuments of the east coast of Scotland. Another circular pattern of interlaced work (Fig. 69), differing in its construction, but possessing the Celtic peculiarity of the divided bands, is found on the head of the pin of another brooch. The collars of the first-mentioned example are also surrounded by bands of interlaced work in a running pattern (Fig. 70), which is common on Celtic stone and metal work.
Fig. 68.—Circular pattern on reverse of the bulbs of the brooch described p. 80 (actual size). ]
Fig. 69.—Circular pattern on the head of the pin of brooch, described pp. 81-82 (actual size). ]
[Illustration: Fig. 70.—Pattern on the reverse of the bulbs of the brooch described p. 80 (actual size).]
[Illustration: Fig. 71.—Zoomorphic pattern on bulb of the brooch in the Skaill hoard, shown as Fig. 59.]
[Illustration: Fig. 72.—Ornament on bulb of brooch, shown as Fig. 59 (actual size).]
[Illustration: Fig. 73.—On the pinhead of brooch, shown as Fig. 59 (actual size).]
[Illustration: Fig. 74.—On a single bulb of a brooch in the Skaill hoard (actual size).]
[Illustration: Fig. 75.—On one of the bulbs (actual size).]
[Illustration: Fig. 76.—On one of the bulbs (actual size).]
The zoomorphic patterns consist mostly of animal forms, which are treated in a freer manner than is usual in Celtic work. One of these occupying the reverse of a single bulb with prickly ornament, is shown in Fig. 74. The irregularity of the design, its want of balance and symmetry, and the tendency of the interlacements of the intertwisted members to break off in scroll-like terminations, are all features which are usually present in Scandinavian work, and as usually absent in the work of the pure Celtic school. The body of the beast, seen sideways, is outlined with a double line, as is usual in the Celtic style. Its head is thrown back, its mouth open and tongue protruding; a single tooth appears in each jaw. Its feet are furnished with two toes, and its tail and crest, convoluted with the body and limbs, terminate in irregular scrolls. The patterns on the bulbous terminations of another brooch (Figs. 71, 72, 73), have a curious resemblance to this one, while presenting points of difference. It is the same beast, almost in the same attitude, but differing in the treatment of the details in both representations. In Fig. 72 the body of the beast is covered with scale-like markings, and the same tendency of the convolutions of the crest to break off in scroll-like terminations is visible in both. The figure [Illustration: Fig. 77.—On the bulbous head of the pin (actual size).] on the bulbous head of the pin of this brooch (Fig. 73) differs from those on the bulbous terminations of its ring in being more bird-like than beast-like, and its convolutions more broken into indefinite scrolls and whirls. It is noticeable, however, that the crest, the eye, and the two-toed foot of this bird-like figure are the same as those of the beast which appears in the patterns previously described, and re-appears in conjunction with a more remarkable figure on another brooch (described pp. 81-82) in the Skaill deposit. The figures on its [Illustration: Fig. 78.—Axe-head inlaid with silver, from the Mammen How, Denmark.] bulbous terminations (Figs. 75, 76) are finely engraved. They represent the same beast which is figured on the others, with but slight variations of detail, but the bulbous head of the pin shows quite a remarkable deviation from the general form of these representations. Instead of the conventional beast, we see here (Fig. 77) a quasi-human figure worked up into a pattern of interlacements. The treatment of this anthropomorphic form is peculiar. It presents a bearded face, which is curiously elongated and triangular in outline; the nose is represented by a curved line, and the eyes are connected by double lines across the upper part of the nose. The hands are bound with interlacements, and the body is treated as the bodies of the beasts commonly used for zoomorphic patterns. This bearded, broad-nosed, goggle-eyed figure has no Celtic relations, but we meet with the same typical face in Scandinavia, occasionally placed in association with zoomorphic patterns, which are almost identical with those of the Skaill brooches in motive and style.