Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 6.djvu/438

 286 PROCEEDINGS AT MEETINGS OF the top of the vessel, (in two of them, ' on the neck of the animal,' and in the third on the top of the knight's helmet,) and a lesser aperture placed at the end of what served as a sort of spout. In one, this is at the top of the helmet of the figure carried on the animal's back ; in another, at the end of the horn ; and in the third, in the projection from the horse's forehead. " These arrangements very closely correspond with those in the lion, the chief difference being, that the Norwegian vessels must be held in a slanting position to allow of the contained liquid being poured out, while from the lion it would flow upon turning the cock. " The northern Antiquaries do not seem to be quite agreed as to the use for which these vessels were designed ; some have supposed them to be lamps, and a copper lion appears to be so used in the church of St. Olaf, at Vatusfiord, in Iceland. They had been supposed to have been ' liquor decanters,' but they do not seem well adapted for this pm'pose, as the open- ings of the spouts are small, and they would pour very slowly. " In the ' Introduction to Northern Archaeology,' among the contents of the Museum at Copenhagen are mentioned, ' Water vessels for the altar, in the forms of mounted knights, lions, and other animals.' Such vessels may have been used for such purposes, but there seems nothing in their formation indicative of their having been originally designed for ecclesiastical uses. " It may be conjectured that their original intention was to serve as vessels to pour water over the hands of the guests before or after a meal, as I beheve is still practised in various parts of the East. For such a purpose they seem not ill adapted. In a curiosity shop in Paris were, last year, two brass figures of lions, also about 10 or 11 inches long, having the same opening Avith a lid at the top, and cocks of nearly the ordinary modern form attached to the breast. These apparently were the work of the fifteenth century. They were placed in the centre of circular brass dishes, but it is not certain that this arrangement was original. " There seems to be considerable analogy between these vessels and the very curious earthen figure of a moi;nted knight found near Lewes, and exhibited by Mr. William Figg to the Institute, in 1817." There is in the collection of the Earl of Shrewsbnry, at Alton Towers, a brass or bronze figure of a lion of a similar character, but I do not think that it has the singular accom- paniments which exist in the present instance." C. OcTAVius Morgan, Esq., E.S.A., laid before the Society a valuable series of ancient watches, and gave a very interesting account of the history and progress of tlie art of watchmaking, as illustrated by these examples. The results of his investigation may be found in the memoir communicated to the Society of Antiquaries, and recently printed in the Archaeologia.' Mr. Morgan stated that the inventor of the coiled spring, as a motive power, in lieu of the weights used for fixed clocks, is not known, nor is it certain in what country the discovery was made : portable clocks, however, constructed with • See a representation of tliis curious vessel during the late meeting of the Institute at in Archacol. Journal, vol. iv., p. 79. Another Salisbury. It w.is suggested that these lion- ancient glazed vessel, of analogous chnvactcr, shaped ewers were ])ossibly used at the assem- found in excavating for a cellar at Bullhridge blies of fraternities or gilds. House, AVilton, was exhibited by Harry llet- ^ Archacol. vol. xxxiii., p. 84. ley, Ksq., of that town, in the muscuui formed