Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 11.djvu/480

 416 PROCEEDINGS AT ^[EETINGS OF Of two of these, no objects of the kind having, as we believe, hitherto been published in this country, representations are here given for the purpose of comparison with the types discovered in Europe. In some of these Asiatic weapons, instead of a loop on each side, for attachment to the shaft, as is frequently found in those bronze spears with which we are familiar, there is a single small loop on one face of the weapon, (see woodcut. No. 2) ; the opening of the socket is mitred, and the edge of the blade is formed occasionally with a peculiar flowing curve, not noticed, as far as we arc aware, in any English example. (See woodcut, No. 1). By Mr. Charles Aixslie. — A collection of reliqucs of various periods found in the bed of the Thames, near Westminster liridge, and in excava- tions in the city of London ; comprising some reliqucs of the Roman age, Samian and other pottery, a bronze umbo, and a curious assemblage of Irou Liaini>-stand (?) fouud iu London. Length, 'J liiclios ; KTonlol lircinlth,l4 iiirlics. spurs, spear-heads, daggers, a massive axe-head, arrow-heads, knives, and other iron imj)lcments. A diminutive costrel, or pilgrim's bottle of white ware covered with mottled green glaze. A pewter jug, having a medallion on the inside at the bottom, representing the crucifix with the A'irgin and St. John ; the maker's stamp is an escutcheon charged with the initials A. K., and two stars under them. Amongst the more ancient objects in Mr. Ainslie's possession is that here represented, (sec woodcut) being of a class of iron reliqucs usually found with Roman remains, and of which the intention has not been determined. Three examples arc preserved in Mr. Roach Smith's Museum of London Anticpiities, and one, ccuiHiderably diti'ering in form from the above, is represented in his Catalogue, p. 77, No. '» l*i. He observes that they have been found in various parts of England, France, and Clermany, and ahnost always near Roman buildings. It has been supposed tbat they were tenqioraj-y shoes for horses or oxen with tender feet, and they have lu-en ealled spurs or Htirrops. A curious example with rings attacbed to the cheek-pieces, found at Vieil Evrcux, is figured in Mr. Roach Smith's Collectanea Aiitiqua, vol. iii. p. 12.S. Some antiquaricH have .su|>poMed, perhaps with greater probability, that thesc! objects were hirhiniclii i>riisilis, or hanging lump-liolderb of a lioinely deHcri[)tioii, and adapted lor the . ume purpose as