Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 11.djvu/338

 290 PROCEEDINGS AT MEETINGS OF King of Bohemia, aiul wife of Albert, surnameil Dor Belierztc (the courageous), ami Froileriek their son. Both are large plate brasses, and lie with many other like memorials of the family, in the western chapel of tlic cathedral. The memorial of Sidonia represents her as standing under an archway, through which are seen windows in the background in perspective ; a ricii piece of tapestry is suspended behind the figure, the feet rest on a pavement, and on either side of them and partly concealing the lower folds of the drapery are shields ; that on the right bears the arms of Albert, viz., Saxony, quartering Thuringia, Meissen, and the Palatinate of Saxony or Thuringia ; on a small escutcheon in the centre is the double-headed imperial eagle, and a second escutcheon placed over this bears two lions passant, the arms of Friesland, of which province he was imperial governor. On the escutcheon on the left is the double-tailed lion of Bohemia crowned. The effigy of the duchess is some- what below life-size ; she is habited in a gown of rich stuff, over which is worn a cloak, the head is covered by a hood, and the chin by a barbe cloth. Long narrow strips of cloth are seen on each side hanging down to the ground, but it is difficult to decide whether they represent a scarf worn over the shoulders, or the ends of the barbe cloth. The hands arc joined as in prayer, and hold a chaplet of beads, the eyes and head are bent downwards with an expression of humility and devotion. Both drawing and execution are admirable, and probably unsurpassed in any similar work ; they are superior to those of the contemporary engravings of Cranach, and in some respects even to those of Diirer. An inscription in a small black letter surrounds the effigy in a double line, and runs as follows: — '"'Anno dni MCCCCCX. am freitag des abent unser frawcn hcchtwclk ist gestorben die hochgcborne tugetliche furstin fraw Zdona geborn von behym herzogin zu sachssen landgravin in diringcn und marggravin zu Meissen witwc die gewest am gemacheldes hoch- beruniten fursten herrn Albrechts herzogen zu sachssen u. s. F. Godtwelle der selen genedig und barmherzig seyn. Amen." i.e. " In the year of our Lord 151 •), on Friday the vigil of the Purification of our Lady (i. c. the 1st February), died the highborn virtuous jtrineess the lady Zdena, born of Bohemia, Duchess of Saxony, Landgravine in Thuringia, and Margravine of Meissen, who was widow of the puissant higldv renowned prince the lord Albert Duke of Saxony and so forth ; may (Jod will to be gracious and merciful to her soul. Amen." A collection of original letters written by the Duchess Sidonia, and by members of her family, was published in lSr)2 by Dr. F. A. Von Langenn (Dresden, Meinhold, and Stihne), under the title Ziige aus dem FaiuilienK'bcn der Herzogin Sidonie itc, and gives a ytiry interesting picture of llic doine.stic life of a (Jerman princely family in the X Vtli ami With centuries. The brass of Frederick measures 7ft. Oin. by .'5ft. !)iii. Liki- his Miolhcr, he iM represented as standing under an iirch, with a curtain suspended behind hitn. 'J'he arch is circular ami the details are of a mixed Gothic and ciiKjue-cento character, snndl ('upid-likc; figures (here no doubt representing anocl^'i an- iniriKlinrd into the spandrels. The elligy is of lO-ylirrr'M Mon. LiuxIgraviKiuiii 'I'luirin- IjoiIi iIuw liriiMMih.
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