Bog-oak Ornaments.

Bog-oak Ornaments. In the peat bogs of Great Britain, Ireland, and other northern countries, trunks of oak, yew, fir, and other woods, which have been long buried, are often found of a dark colour and well preserved, owing to the antiseptic properties of the peaty water. Black oak so found is very suitable for turning and carving. In Dublin a considerable trade is carried on in bog-oak jewelry and other ornaments. The articles made are small models of Irish buildings, Paddy and his pig, brooches, necklaces, fans, crosses, and other trinkets. Upon some of these the harp and the shamrock are frequent adornments. Some patterns of the kind that used to be carved are now stamped by a heated die placed in a screw-press. Recent oak and other woods, stained black artificially, are much substituted for true bog-oak in these articles. The trade originated on the occasion of George IV.'s visit to Ireland in 1821. The annual value of the goods sold in Dublin has been estimated at fully £20,000, but the manufacture is capable of considerable development, if more attention were paid to the designs, which at present are often very inartistic.