Ancient Irish Brooches

New Zealand Tablet, 12 July 1906, Page 34

Ancient Irish Brooches

Irish brooches are much sought after by collectors just now, though perhaps few are aware (says * The Gentlewoman ') that one of . the famous 'T-ara 1 brooches (or fibulas) worn many centuries back, in the days when Tara's Halls resounded to strains of Celtic harp and song, is still existent in the Royal Dublin Museum. Its history is a curious one. Picked up by a poor child' over half a century ago on" the seashore near Drogheda, and subsequently sold to a watchmaker for a few pence, he was struck by its beauty, and disposed of the jewel to Messrs. Watcrhouse, of Dublin, for twelve guineas. It was afterwards sold by them to the museum, on the condition that it should never leave Ireland. This brooch is thought to be one of those executed by St. Patrick's two" cunning workmen, who accompanied him on his Irish mission (A.D. 432) for the purpose of manufacturing sacramental and other plate. The metal though a combination of tin and copper, known as white bronze, has the appearance of silver ; it is inlaid with gold filagree in sev-enty-six varieties of pattern, and unique glass ornaments carved like the human face. This brooch, when exhibited at Soxith Kensington in 18fi3, caused such a sensation that Castellani the famous Roman jeweller, said it was worth the journey from Italy alone to see.