The Celtic World (Routledge Worlds)

• The Social Implications of Celtic Art -

Chapes: Experimental phase

Ha-D/La Tene I Transition

t Anchor tube-chapes • Composite chapes o One piece copies

Figure 21.11 Map showing initiation and spread of a La Tene I chape design.

seem to imply two-man sawing, and even precisely set teeth to prevent sticking
(Piggott 1965: 186-7; Riek and Hundt 1962; Rieth 1958); such early long saw blades
are, however, still to be found. There are also some ingenious specialized tools to be
seen in iron, such as the leatherworker's half-moon knife, seen at La Tene itself in a
leather bag containing the whole kit of a saddler and harness-maker (Vouga 1907:
pI. XLVI)..
Combinations of metals have been used for decorative effect. Note the flashing of
iron or bronze with tin, or the frequent fusing-on of bronze to iron often for
constructional purposes. In more precious metals parcel-gilt was effectively used:
note the vigorous British development in the early first century AD Gope and
Jacobsthal in press: 123, pl.).
Organic materials were a far more important factor in earlier times than we some-
times remember, due to poor and erratic preservation; here recent wetlands research
is of great importance (Earwood 1993), but there is still an arsenal of earlier evidence
to be used.
In wood, we have already noted the early sixth-century Be use of planking
(pp. 388-9), and stave-built vessel construction should also be noted Gope and
Jacobsthal in press: pI. 136-47,31), perhaps first developed in Celtic Europe (Clark
1962: 212ff.), and vessels hollowed from one piece, such as cups or cauldrons, are to
be seen. Plastic soft-shaped carving in wood was erratic through the Celtic world (as

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