Wiltshire Archaeological Magazine 1884 V21 Pages 256-263
Wiltshire Archaeological Magazine 1884 V21 Pages 256-263 is in Wiltshire Archaeological Magazine 1884 V21.
Some Undescribed Articles in the the Stourhead Collection by W. Cunnington, Esq., F.G.S.
Since the Stourhead Collection has passed into the possession of the Trustees of the Wiltshire Museum, the Curator has found that some of the articles have not been described in "Ancient Wiltshire'' and that others could not be identified, owing to the loss or decay of the labels respecting them. Much information has, however, been obtained by reference to the drawings and MSS. in the possession of Mr. Cunnington's family. It is proposed to publish some of these particulars from time to time in the Wiltshire Magazine.
Note on an Ancient British Urn or Drinking Cup, found at Mere, Wilts. In the Wiltshire Museum, Devizes.
This cup was found by Mr. Fenton, a friend of Sir R. C. Hoare, in a barrow on Mere Down. An account of the opening of this barrow and a description of its contents are given in "Ancient Wiltshire," as follows:—1 "At the depth of about three feet and a half he found a cist six feet in length, from east to west, containing the skeleton of a large man, with his limbs gathered up and crossed, and that of a younger person by his right side. From the position of their heads they seem to have been placed in the affectionate attitude of embrace, as the two skulls nearly touched each other. Close to them was a richly-ornamented drinking cup, and near the left side of the adult was a small lance-head of brass [bronze], and a piece of grey slaty stone, perforated at the ends. He also found a small instrument of bone, and two circular ornaments of thin but pure gold: these were also perforated, and used like the blue stone as ornaments of dress. Towards the eastern side of the cist was a great deal of charred wood, the use of which it is difficult to conjecture, as the tumulus presented no apparent signs of burning."
Note 1. "Ancient Wilts," vol. i., p. 44.
The articles found are engraved in Plate II. of the same size as the originals, and may now be seen in the Museum at Devizes. The cup, however, was broken, and only one fragment of it was engraved. When the Stourhead Collection was removed to Devizes it included many loose pieces of ancient pottery: among these five more fragments of this same cup were fortunately found, and it has now been succesfully restored and forms an interesting addition to the collection. It differs materially from the ordinary type of Ancient British drinking cup (so called). It is much more elegant in outline, and the ornamentation is gracefully disposed so as to suit the shape. A similar though larger vase was found by Mr. Cunnington in a barrow at Boyton, in 1804.1 Of this he remarks: — " The wide brim and large size rather militate against appropriating these vessels to the purpose of drinking."
A smaller vase of the same type, but not so boldly moulded at the rim, was found in a barrow on Roundway Hill, in 1855, described in Wiltshire Magazine, vol. iii., p. 185, and figured in "Crania Britannica, vol. ii., with Plate XXXII."2
The design and ornamentation are so similar in these three cups as to suggest that they may have been made by the same person.
The general similarity of the barrow on Roundway Hill to that opened by Mr. Fenton at Mere, is quite remarkable. Allowing that the gold ornaments and bone netting-mesh belonged to the second skeleton (presumably a female), the other articles found — the small well shaped urn, the bronze dagger, and the tablet of chlorite slate — are similar in both interments.
Note 1. See "Archæologia," vol. XV, p. XVII. [Note. This is a reference to Plate XVII before Page 343]
Note 2. Also in Waring's "Ceramic Art," PL XIX.
It may be well here to note that the purpose for which these plates of slate were anciently used has since been satisfactorily determined by Canon Ingram and other authorities.3 There can be little doubt that they were used as wrist-guards, to protect the left arm of the wearer against the rap of the string in shooting with the bow.
Note 3. See "Wiltshire Magazine," vol. x., p. 109.