Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 6.djvu/304

 182 PROCEEDINGS AT MEETINGS OF sizes : on some is stamped — WIGAN. On the bell produced were the initials R.W. The chm-ch is dedicated to St. Peter in Vmculis, and the custom being commonly known as " ringing the chains," it has been con- jectured that the term may not be a corruption of " changes," but have some reference to the vincula of the apostle. Has any similar usage been noticed in other places ? ^ By Mr. Robert Fttch, of Norwich. — A gold ring, set with an intaglio, stated to have been found near Babylon. It is a Pehlevi gem, a corne- lian ; the device has not been explained ; it represents, as Mr. Birch observed, an object supposed to be connected with fire-worship. On one side appeal's a star of five rays, on the other a crescent ; and it thus supplies an interesting example of these symbols upon ancient oriental gems or seals ; their occurrence upon mediaeval seals has been a subject of frequent discussion, and, doubtless, is to be traced to an Eastern origin. Mr. Way exhibited a fac-simile of a singular folding altar-piece of metal, such as are used in the Greek Church. It had been kindly communicated by Mr. Hooper, of Manningtree. This interesting example is of unusual size, formed of four leaves, each measuring 6^ in. by 4 in., with four sub- jects on every leaf, surmounted by a fifth in the arched head, or pediment. The figures are in low relief, and there is no enamel now to be seen upon the brass. Numerous inscriptions in ancient character fill the intervening margins. On the exterior face appear the symbols of Passion ; within are represented the birth of St. John the Baptist, the Nativity of our Saviour, and the principal events in Gospel history : The Pentecost and Death of the Virgin, various portraitures of the Virgin and Child, with the various saints of the Greek Calendar, showing their veneration towards her. This kind of sacred ornament is commonly used in Prussia, either in private houses, or in travelling ; paintings and sculptiu'e in high relief not being sanctioned: it was found, about 1790, under the cliffs at Harwich.^ A similar specimen, of like dimensions, formerly in the Strawberry Hill Collection, and enamelled, was purchased for the series of enamels in the Museum of Economic Geology. Mr. PiobertLong communicated, through Sir John Boileau, the singular limestone mould found in 1839, in trenching ground at Mr. Long's seat, Dunston Hall, near Norwich. It appeared to have been formed for the purpose of casting metal ornaments for some sacred purpose. A cast in giUta percha had been presented to the Museum of the Institute by Mr. Fitch, at the previous meeting.^ On the foot is the monogram il)'c — around the cup — )ic est call)f, and on the host, which is surrounded by rays, — IHC. Length of the mould, 4^ inches. It was observed that the form of the chalice and the general design of the ornament apfSear to indicate an age certainly not earlier than the sixteenth century. Compare a radiated IHC. on a dossel at Denbigh, dated 1580. (Gent. Mag., xxv., 247). ^ Several bronze crotala, bells of similar ^ It had probably been thrown ashore from form, but of smaller size, exist in private the wreck of .some vessel in tiie Baltic trade, collections, and, as it is said, are of frequent Several brass altars of this kind, but of small occurrence in Ireland. They were probably size, have been dredged up in the harbour at appended to hounds' collars. It may deserve Ci'rcat Grimsby, Lincolnshire, and one was notice, that the letter W. is frequently found exhibited in the museum formed .at Lincoln, upon them: was Wigan noted for their during the meeting of the Institute, in 1848. manufacture, and indicated by this m.ark ? * See p. 78 of this volume.