Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 8.djvu/414

 .318 PROCEEDINGS AT MEETINGS OF The Rev. George Oliver, D.D., communicated a detailed pedigree of the Courteuay family, the result of careful investigation by himself and Mr. Pitman Jo>"ES, of Exeter ; he sent also a transcript of an interesting document connected with the history of that noble house, being the will of Katharine of York, seventh daughter of Edward lY., married to William Courtenay, Earl of Devon. She died in 1527. The original, bearing her signature and dated May 2, 19 Hen. VIII., is in the possession of the Earl of Devon, at Powderham Castle. Antiquities" anil KSorfeS of Art eji)i6ttrlr. By the Rev. Edward Wiltox. — A cast from a singular bronze figure, in high relief, apparently of late Roman work, representing Minerva, with the customary attributes of that goddess. Mr. Wilton stated that the original had been brought to him by a shepherd, who said he had found it lying on the green sward in one of the " tinings " or enclosed pasturages on Salisbury Plain, in the neighbourhood of an ancient encampment. From the fractured appearance of one part, the figure seemed to have formed portion of a group. Numerous coins and a bronze figure, about 3 in. in height, had been found near the spot, which is situate on Charlton Down, near Devizes, the property of Lord Normanton. A large tract of the Downs at this place seems to have been covered by habitations ; vestiges of buildings axe clearly to be traced upon it, and careful excavation would doubtless bring numerous remains of interest to light. By Mr. Samuel P. Pratt. — Two remarkable ancient relics of stone, found in excavations near Alexandria. One of them had been supposed to be a kind of hatchet. Representations will be given in a future Journal. By the Hox. Robert Curzon, Jux.— Several beautiful relics of ancient art and goldsmith's work, reliquaries and ornaments of a sacred kind, recently added to his choice collections. They comprised a crucifix of the enamelled work of Limoges, of the most ancient form ; the figure is crowned, draped with long garments to the feet, a girdle around the waist. Each foot is attached to the cross by a separate nail. Above is the Almighty hand issuing from a cloud. This was described as a copy of the Santo volto of Lucca, supposed to be the most ancient crucifix existing ; it is said, according to the legend, to have been carved in wood by Nicodemus, and brought from the Holy Land to Lucca, a.d. 780. — A circular brass pyx, diam. 4 in., height 5 in., curiously ornamented with Oriental characters, formerly inlaid with silver and a kind of enamel. The inscription has been thus read : Al Melik Amr, al ali, al Melud, al Melek Daher ; signifying — The Prince Amr, the magnificent, the son of the Sultan Daher. Al Daher was king of Egypt, a.d. 1021; he was the son of Caliph Hakem, founder of the Assassins. It is supposed that this box was intended to contain nashish. — Circular silver plate (diam. 2^ in.), exhibiting the head of the Saviour in profile, in high relief, surrounded by a cruciform nimbus. Around the margin is inscribed, viva. dei. facies. et. salvatoris. IMAGO. The characters are of the twelfth century. — A small pectoral cross of exquisite Greek workmanship, carved in wood, and encased in gold set with gems. The carving is shown through openings in the goldsmith's work. On one side is the Crucifixion, the Blessed Virgin and St. John, and an angel above : on the other, the Virgin and Infant Saviour. The workmanship appears to be of the twelfth century. The intervals between the gems are enriched with blue and green