Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 6.djvu/435

 ^rottctjfngs nt tf)c ittfeiings of t!)c gtrtjbacologicnl Institute. June 1, 1849. The Eev. John Gunn, of Irstead, communicated notices of examples of chiu-ch arcliitecture in Norfolk, supposed to be vestiges of the Saxon age. This memoir will be given in the next number of the Journal. Mr. Francis T. Dollman communicated the following interesting account of the remains of ancient decoration, and the remarkable rercdos discovered in St. Cuthbert's Church, at Wells, of which he had made two drawings, admirably executed, which were exhibited to the Society on this occasion :' " St. Cuthbert's Church is a large and very interesting building, chiefly of the Third Pointed Period, and possessing the usual characteristics of churches in Somersetshire. The nave piers, and some of the windows, are of earlier date ; and the weather-mould of the original roof is still visible on the east side of the tower, inside the church. " The church consists of a west tower, nave, and aisles, with chantry chapels both on the north and south sides. Transeptal chapels have also been added on the north and south sides, in which the reredos, the drawings of which are submitted to the meeting, were discovered. There are porches on the north and south sides of the church, each having a parvise over. The chancel has aisles ; and the sacristy, on the north side, is original. The tower of the church is well known as one of the finest examples in Somersetshire. The first discovery was made about last August in one of the chapels before mentioned, on the north side of the nave (dedicated to the Holy Trinity), and consisted of a fresco, life size, of our blessed Saviour, clad in a russet-coloured garment, with a red cloak on liis shoulders, and holding in liis left hand an orb surmounted by a cross — his right hand in the act of benediction ; the feet were bare. The monogram i'ijc m'ci) repeated ten times on the ground of the fresco; at the foot are the words ' Salvator Mundi,' and over the head of the figure an angel with outspread wings, holding a shield with the five wounds, on an azure ground. The fresco, when first discovered, was, I am informed, in a very dilapidated condition, parts of the colouring have since been restored. Eastward of this chapel, and immediately adjoining it, is one of the transeptal chapels, dedicated in honour of the blessed Virgin. On the east wall of this, the Teredos was accidcntaUy discovered by the removal of some panelling. " It will be seen by the drawing that the design was most magnificent, the groining of the niches being of peculiar richness, and the execution of the whole work exceedingly delicate and beautiful. The centre of the lower range of niches is larger than the others, and probably contained the figure of the blessed A^irgin : the groining of the canojjy was very difterent ' These beautiful designs by Mr. Dollman are now in the possession of the Institute, and may be seen at the Apartments of the Society, 26, Suffolk Street.