Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 7.djvu/531

Rh the Inscription, are much effaced. (See the accompanying; representation of this curious portrait, which has never been published.) The name of this architect has not been ascertained. (See additional note, infra, p. 403.)

By .—A beautiful example of carving in ivory, a portable altar-piece or triptych; date, about 1320. The central subject represents the Virgin with the infant Saviour, who holds a bird in his hands. An angel above seems about to place a crown upon her head. On one of the folding leaves are sculptured the Annunciation and the Adoration of the Magi; on the other the Nativity and the Presentation to Simeon. The exterior was elegantly decorated with gilding and colour: on the volets are two escutcheons, each suspended on a branch or billet raguly; the design of Flemish character.

Also, a singular collar, the insignia of some Flemish confrérie of archers, or the prize of superior skill in shooting at the popinjay. It is of silver gilt, and chased with designs of great elegance. It is formed of twelve medallions, enriched with armorial bearings, enamelled, and suitable devices. At each extremity is a larger medallion, or pendant, arranged seemingly so as to ornament both the back and breast of the wearer. To the richest of these is appended a parrot, crowned, with a collar inscribed * —beneath the ground whereon it stands is—. Amongst the ornaments of the medallions are introduced two satyrs or wodewoses, male and female, as supporters to an image of St. Laurence. On the reverse of one is the date, 1554.

Mr. Webb exhibited likewise a choice production of medieval goldsmiths' work, XVIth cent., a covered cup of silver-gilt, set with cameos and enamel.

By .—Several cylindrical objects of terra-cotta, found in digging the foundations of the Corn Exchange at Nottingham. Similar relics had been brought before the Society of Antiquaries during their last session, and much discussion had arisen in regard to their use. (See Report of their meeting, June 20, Gent. Mag. July, p. 77; Athenæum, No. 1183, p. 688.) They were supposed to have served in the curling of artificial hair. It is singular that in a tomb in Etruria, a collection of objects had been found, closely similar in form; they may now be seen in the British Museum.

, Esq., communicated an account of recent investigations which he had directed in Lincolnshire, and exhibited the results of his excavations at a group of British tumuli, at Broughton, in that county, in which urns, weapons of flint and bronze, and other curious vestiges had been found. This memoir is reserved for a future Journal.

The sent a more detailed report of the excavations in Berkshire, in the neighbourhood of "Alfred's Castle," and the results of the examination of the tumuli, subsequently to the notice given at the previous meeting. The curious facts elicited by this inquiry, of which an interesting relation, illustrated by drawings, was kindly supplied by, Esq., on whose estates one of the tumuli is situated, will be given hereafter. Mr. Way took occasion to lay before the Society a representation of an iron axe-head, in excellent preservation, produced by a farmer resident in the neighbourhood, who brought