ORIGINS OF THE CELTIC WARRIOR:
The Celtic Warrior Collection was inspired by the Ardagh Chalice which is housed in the National History Museum of Ireland in Dublin. Along with the Book of Kells it is instantly and the internationally recognised as a priceless antiquity and a treasure of the people of Ireland. The Chalice is from the early Christian Period and is believed to have been made in the late 8th to early 9th Century. In 868 it was found in Ardagh Co. Limerick by two men digging potatoes. The Ardagh Chalice is made of silver and decorated with 354 pieces of gold, brass, lead, pewter, copper, gilt bronze and enamel beading. There are great examples of fine filigree gold work on this piece which show extraordinary skill, craftsmanship and time that was devoted to making this chalice.