Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 8.djvu/283

 THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL INSTITUTP], 207 probably a Tcrtus, Limoges work, early xiri. cent. Tlic central subject is tbc crucifix between the Virgin Mary and .St. Jolin. Above, arc two dcini- angels holding books. The figures are in relief; tho field enriched with engraved ornament. The border set with gems en cahochon. — A curious vessel of bronze, probably intended as an ewer, in the form of a lion, tho spout issuing from its jaws; a naked human figure seated upon its back, with a wyvern seizing him from behind, and forming the handle of this strange example of medieval caprice. These singular vessels of bronze occur in several collections : this has subsequently been deposited in tho British Museum. They seem closely analogous in fashion and purpose to the vessel of green-glazed ware found at Lewes, communicated to the Listitute by Mr. Figg. (See a representation. Arch. Journal, vol. iv., p. 71).) By some antiquaries these vessels are regarded as a^olipiles. By Mr. Jamks P. Pollard. — A " puzzle mug," formed with a concealed syphon, of red ware, well glazed, and ornamented with yellow and dark brown hud on in a thick slip or encrustation. Possibly of English manu- facture, about the year 1600. These mugs were used as possct-cups. By Mr. Roiide Hawkins. — A bowl of mixed metal, inlaid with silver and black paste, of Oriental workmanship ; the engraved ornaments in imitation of Cufic inscriptions. Also an elegant Persian incense burner, of gilt metal. By Mr. Hailstone. — A long narrow plaque of enamelled metal, of cJiamplevc work, twelfth century ; portion of the ornament either of a Book of the Gospels or of a shrine. Li rectangular compartments appear busts of two Evangelists, — St. Mark, accompanied by a winged lion holding a tablet, inscribed with the first words of the Gospel — tSicut scriptum est; and St. John, with the eagle and words — In principio.'^ There are also busts of Peter, Andrew, John, James, Bartholomew, and Judas. The other evangelists and apostles were doubtless pourtrayed on the corres- ponding piece on the oppo-site side. The figure of Jacobus is curious : he wears a white dress, probably the pilgrim's sclaveyne, with a hood of the same drawn over his head, fastened over the throat by an oblong plate, like the rationale. The nimbus is pure turquoise blue. — An elegant priket candlestick, from the Duguc Collection. The base is a truncated cone, from which springs the long spike to receive the candle. It is richly enamelled, exhibiting four armorial decorations, the bearinixs introduced on lozenge-shaped scutcheons, whilst the field of the base is deep blue, with fleurs-de-lys. The arms are (alternately) chcquy or and azure, a quarter argent, a bordure gules, — Dreux (the ermine ou the canton possibly omitted, owing to the difiiculty of showing it in so small a space). The other two lozenges display — Gules, two fish {bars adosscc) between three trefoils slipped or. This is possibly Clermont, although the fish and 1 trefoils are or instead of argent. Date, thirteenth century. — Raoul de [Clermont, Constable of France, 1287, married Alix de Dreux, Vicomtesse de Chateaudun, and died in 1302. Their third daughter, Beatrix, married Aymer de Valence. This interesting example of enamelled art may have i belonged to Alix, or to her elder daughter, of the same name, previously to her marriage with William of Flanders. Another priket of like fashion, with enamelled heraldic ornaments of the lozenge form, is figured ' This mode of designatin}^ the Evan- the conventional rule of the Greek artists, gelists is curious, being in uccordaiicf with See Durand, .MaiuiehlUcoiiographic.p. .100.