Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 5.djvu/301

 DECORATIVE PAVEMENT TILES. 231 examples of a great variety of remains of this nature, existing in England. The specimens which have occurred in cathedral or abbey churches in Ireland, have formed the subject of an interesting memoir by Mr. Oldham, well deserving of the attention of all who are interested in such branches of antiquarian research. During the past year only, as far as we are aware, have any decorative tiles been noticed in Scotland ; and we owe to Mr. Cosmo Innes the knowledge of certain curious examples from the ancient priory church of North Berwick, represented in the volume of documents relating to that monastery, presented to the Bannatyne Club. A collection of beautiful examples from the churches of the diocese of Oxford have been successfully reproduced, in the colours of the original tiles, by the late INIr. W. Church, of Wallingford ; and a profusion of other remains of tliese pleasing decorations have been given in the Gentleman's Magazine, and many topo- graphical or architectural publications. Whilst therefore, no public collec- tion of specimens as yet exists, to illustrate the progress of the manufac- ture or the characteristic varieties of design, at various periods, the works to which we have alluded afford a mass of curious and useful information. The decorative pavements of the middle ages, traced in their connexion with the mosaics of Roman times, the brilliant oprts Alexandrimim, and gold-grounded mosaics of a later period, or compared with other decora- tions accessory to architecture, would form the subject of a memoir of con- siderable interest, far beyond the limits of our present purpose. The principles of general arrangement, the combination either of geometrical designs, or of flowing ornament disposed in a kind of diapered work, on a large scale, analogous to that exhibited by ancient heraldic blazonry, de- serve closer attention than has hitherto been bestowed ipon the subject. The minor details are correctly understood, but scarcely has any attempt been made to define the rules and conventional principles, by which general arrangement was produced, so as to preserve harmony with the other decorations or features of the structure ; many valuable examples of arrange- ment exist in England, and we hope that at no distant time they may be collected, and classified in accordance with the distinctive character of each successive period. Such a work, although inferior in interest and beauty to the exquisite reproductions of the geometrical mosaics of the middle ages, displayed by jIr. Digby Wyatt^, from the striking examples existing in Italy, might, we feel convinced, form a publication not less practically use- ful in the present times of church-restoration and church-building, than acceptable to the antiquarian enquirer. The pavements of our own country were necessarily of a more homely description ; the materials available for their formation and the mechani- cal process employed were of the most simple kind. It may, however, well excite surprise to notice the pleasing and effective results produced in many a Specimens of the Geometrical IVIosaic saics of Italy and Sicily, printed in gold of the middle ages, with a brief Historical and colours. Folio. Published by Messrs. Notice of the Art : by Mr. Digby Wyatt, Day. will) plates representing tiie medieval mo-