Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 29.djvu/126

 9S PROCEEDINGS AT MEETINGS OF peculiar throughout. The memorial is somewhat of the type of the later monumental slabs of the west coast of Scotlaud. By Mr. Arthuu G. (Jeoguegan. — An oblong tablet of hard brown wood, resembling mahogany, measuring 'Jin. by 3 in., and H in. in thickness. On two of its sides are certain singular figures boldly carved, with ornaments, and, jx>ssibly, inscriptions, somewhat resembling Chinese charactei-s. It has been conjectured that it may l»e a calendar. — A signet- ring of brass, rudely engraved with an eagle displayed within a dotted circle ; possibly to be assigned to the sixteenth century. It was found in the .sand-hills close to Dunlow, on the western shore of Donegal, and in immediate vicinity to some rocks where one of the sliips of the Invin- cible Araiada was wrecked. The supposition seems jn-obablc that it had belonged to some person lost on that occasion. — A French cavaliy sword, a relic of some interest on accoimt of the inscription on its blade, as follows : — Vangeons Le Pere — ,^auvons La Merc — H Conrotuions I^ Fils. It is supposed to have belonged to an oflicer of the gallant corps of emigrants who, after the death of Louis XVI., vainly endeavoured to uj)liuld the cause of the Bourbons. By the Rev. James Beck. — A coflcr of wood, covered with leather, •with bauds and angle-mounts of iron, the ends formed with foliated oniamcnts. Dimensions, 7 in. by 4 in. ; depth, 3 in. Probably of English workmanship ; date, about IGOO. By the licv. Wii,m.m Iago, of Bodmin. — A i)hotogi-aph representing an ancient carved oak chest, or hutch, formerly in the parish of Cardyn- ham, (.'ornwall. This old piece of furniture is formed of jxirtions of carved work of several jieriods — some i»ieces being of a deci<ledly ]ire- Keformation date, whilst the greater part is in the style of ornament that characterises the renaissance found in the sixteenth century. At the ends of the chest there are circular panels containing heads with cajis or head-dresses of Tudor fashion, a low-arched crown-liko cap, and a jewelled bandeau, or coronet without balls or leaves ; such fashions occur in portraitures and designs of the time of Henry Vlll., or the like. (Jiie of these heads is that of a female ; there are two heads, respectant, or facing each other, on each end of the chest. On the front, under the massive lock, will be seen a small piece of carving of earlier date, that icprcsents the enthnjuement or coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is seen between the Supreme I5eing and tlie Saviour, the Holy Dove being over her head. Over these ligures, which are of smaller proporiions thaji the rest, there are canopies of tabernaelc- work, of distinctly (Jothic character. On either side of this central compartment there arc two female figures, standing: over their heads are round, elaborately- worked arches, like shallow niches, and of decidedly cinfjueccnto stylo of decoration. The fn-st, on the left, holds a sword in her right han<l, an<l the pahn of martyrdom in the left; the second liolds a chalice, in which appeiun the holy wafer ; those on the right hold, the first a iiionstraiicc, the other a church, that has a jiointed Bj)ire, and a brtok. These, Mr. Iago KUggcsted, may have been intended to rcjircsent St. ('atherine, St, J'.iul)ara, St. Clare, and St. Withl)nrga. In regard, liowcver, to this attribution of iho tigures in (pieslioii, ami any other more jirobable explanation, Mr. Iago reiiuestcd iiirniination from those who nro convcrsaut with cin(pie-ceiitoart and symbolism.