Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 1.djvu/308

290 collection, and is known by the etching executed by Hollar, which gives but an imperfect idea of the original. This picture has been cited as a specimen of painting in oil, the date assigned to it being 1377, thirty-three years previous to the supposed invention of the art by John ab Eyck. Mr. Shaw, however, considers it to be painted in distemper, and supposes the resemblance to oil-painting to be occasioned only by the varnish.

The scattered objects which are preserved in the mansions of the aristocracy in Great Britain, and must be regarded with special interest on account of historical associations which are connected with them, are very numerous. Of an interesting little relic of this description, which has now been brought to light by Mr. Shaw, a representation is here submitted to our readers. It is the penner, which, as tradition affirms, was left at Waddington Hall by Henry VI., during his wanderings in Yorkshire, after the fatal battle of Towton. At Bolton Hall, the previous place of his concealment, he had parted with his boots, his knife, fork, and spoon. The case for pens and ink, destined to be appended to the girdle, is formed of leather, neatly ornamented with patterns in relief. The process of impressing designs on leather softened by heat, and termed cuir-bouilli, was anciently carried to singular perfection, and rendered available for a variety of purposes. Defences formed of this material supplied the place of the more cumbersome armour of iron plate, and greaves or "jambeux of coorbuly," which are mentioned by Chaucer, as part of the equipment of Sir Thopas, may be noticed on the monumental effigies of the period. It is recorded that the figure of Henry V., which was exposed to public view during his obsequies, was formed of cuir-bouilli. The remarkable durability of ornamental work impressed upon leather by such means, is shewn by the very curious specimens which have been discovered in Moorfields, in positions where they had been much exposed to damp: they consist of shoes, belts, and pouches, and are preserved in the interesting collection which has been formed by Mr. Charles Roach Smith, consisting almost exclusively of antiquities, of every period, which have been brought to light in the city of London and its environs.