Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 8.djvu/564

 432 NOTICES OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL PUBLICATIONS. are indebted to Mr. Sha', tbat we can approach to that precision and truth in our researches, which gives them their greatest charm. To the artist and the manufacturer, the practical advantages accruing from the possession of such a chosen assemblage of models and authorities, must render this volume of essential utility, ^yhilst popular favour lends strong encouragement to the reproduction of medieval forms, in the elegant appliances of life, it is to be desired that such reproductions should be accurate in detail, and not less free from anomaly or anachronisms, than from the constraint of mere servile imitation. The attractive work under consideration presents, in small compass, specimens of those beautiful decorative processes which are admired so much in works of the middle ages. Of these ingenious arts some were almost forgotten in England until recent times, and the profuse importation of numerous masterpieces of ancient skill, owing to the late dispersion of some of the finest continental collections. In this volume we find displayed the brilliant effects produced by enamel, encrusted, translucid and painted ; the elaborate beauty of metal-work, and sculpture in wood ; — of stained glass, of embroideries, and fictile ware. It deserves especial mention that with very few exceptions, these examples have been selected from private collections in our own country ; and that, by the kindness of their possessors, the originals are in many instances already known to the Members of the Institute, having been exhibited at their meetings. Amongst these may be named, the exquisite enamelled Triptych of the twelfth century, in the possession of Lord Shrewsbury, with other costly objects, which enriched our museum at the Oxford Meeting ; — the rich han^incs of raised velvet on a gold ground, belongins; to St. Mary's Church, Oxford, displayed on the same occasion ; — the stan^ of the Rector chori ; — the silver reliquary from Basle, in form of a human foot ; and other objects from Mr. Magniac's rich museum, shown at various times at the Society's meetings in London. Of the choral staff, a curious account by the Rev. Dr. Rock will be found in this Journal. — (See p. 203.) — Of another highly curious specimen in Mr. Magniac's museum, the crosier found in a tomb of a Bishop of Laon, we are enabled to place before our readers the annexed representation. It was deposited with the remains of Barthclcmy de Vir, who died in 1181. The enamelled tints which enrich the foliated ornament of the volute are of singular beauty. We regret that the dimensions of Mr. Shaw's beautiful wood- cuts do not permit of our giving here that which represents the remarkable silver thurible exhibited by Mr. Wells at the March meeting of the Institute (see p. 195, ante.) There can be little doubt that this is the work of an English artificer, and it has an additional interest from the circumstance of its preservation, and its discovery during the recent drainage of Whittlesea More. Another example of the skill of native metal- workers, in old time, is well shown in the plate representing ^ the iron ciausura of the tomb of Eleanor, consort of Edward I. This fine screen was fabricated about 1293 by Thomas de Leghtone, a Bedfordshire smith, and having been taken down some years since, it was sold as old metal, but repurchased by the Chapter, on remonstrance being made. It is through the praiseworthy exertions of the Rev. Dr. Buckland that this work has been now restored to its original position. There are many other subjects of interest to which we might take occasion to advert, in noticing Mr. Shaw's publication. One of the most