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242
COPENHAGEN.
Chap. XVI.
Of bronze shields there are several, from 19 to
24 inches in diameter. The handle is formed of a
crossbar within the hollowed boss. These shields were
only used by persons of the highest rank, being most
expensive: they are mostly formed of wood, with
bosses attached to the centre. One is ornamented with
bosses hammered out; another with the double spiral
decoration, from which issue two serpents with
birdlike head—an ornament most rare at this period.
Still the representations of animals and the human
form’ do now commence. I find three in the museum :
one, the figure of a man, forming the handle to a knife;
the other two, also figures of men, I discovered in a
case of objects like harness, the use of which is
unknown. One of these appears to be a sort of tumbler,
turned inside out, like the clown at a circus; the other,
with bronzed helmet, is kneeling with one hand on his
heart, most sentimental.
But I am forgetting the baton de marechai, a large
bronzen axe, 16 inches in length and 10 inches broad
at the edge, handsomely ornamented with raised knobs,
and partly overlaid with gold. It was evidently cast
for ornament, not use, being too light and delicate
to crack the skull of an enemy, but very ornamental
for state occasions. It is composed of a very small
portion of metal, cast on a nucleus of clay, extending to
the very edge, and is a wonderful specimen of the
artificer’s skill. Artists of the present day assert they
could do no better, if as well.
Strange to relate, of helmets only one single relic has
been discovered—a chin-piece—plated with gold and
ornamented with spirals.
And now come the horns. Wild Hunter of the
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