Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 9.djvu/375

 THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE. 295 " The two bishops are represented in eucharistic vestments, with mitres on their heads, and croziers in their left hands, wliilc the right are raised in the attitude of benediction. The mitres, chasubles, apparels of the albs, maniples, gloves and shoes, are decorated with rich and curiously varied embroidery. The figures are placed under a double canopy of the most elaborate richness of design, finishing above in a profusion of crocketed pinnacles (considerably above 100) and steep rooflets (if such a diminutive be allowable). It would be difficult to convey by description a just idea of the minuteness, variety, beauty, and admirable execution of the archi- tectural ornaments with M'hich the whole of the canopy is covered ; some portions have been engraved in the original size by Dr. Deecke.' " Above the heads of the figures are two rows of niches — the upper one contains, in the central niche, a seated figure (no doubt representing Abraham) holding in his bosom the deceased in the form of a naked child. In the lateral niches are angels with censers and tapers. In the centre of the lower row of niches, the soul of the deceased in the form of a child (in this instance clothed) is represented as borne up by angels ; other angels at the sides sound various instruments of music. Below these are four small seated figures with scrolls, probably prophets.- Between, and on each side of the figures of the Bishops, is a double row of niches, in all thirty. The figures in these are about eight inches high, and represent St. John the Baptist, St. Kathcrine and two other female saints, a bishop, (St. Nicholas ?) an angel, the twelve apostles, and twelve prophets, an apostle and prophet occupying each pair of niches. Besides these, there are six smaller compartments, which contain seated figures of the four evangelists and of two prophets. Six corresponding compartments lower down contain figures of ladies and gentlemen in the civil dress of the period ; one of the ladies holds a wreath, another plays with a squirrel, while the third appears from her gestures to be engaged in an animated conversation with her attendant squire, who carries a hawk on his wrist. In a line with these, and below the feet of the bishops, are two series of figures about three inches high ; each contains several groups — the subjects of one series are taken from the legend of St. Nicholas, of the other from that of St. Dunstan. In the latter the representation of the condign punishment inflicted by the Saint upon the Evil One occupies a prominent place. The whole surface of the brass, otherwise unoccupied (with one small exception at the base), is covered with an elaborate diaper consisting of monsters of the utmost grotesqueness placed within a sort of trefoils.^ The small spaces left be- tween these are filled with butterflies. The monsters would do honour to the inventions of Breughel or Callot,^ and are indescribable compounds of man, beast, bird, and creeping thing ; the human heads are usually covered • Donkmaler dor bildende Klinste in flowing robes and quaint caps of various Liibeck, part 1. The whole brass is also fashion, and have wild flowing hair and engraved in this work, and with tolerable beards. If, however, all the eighteen accuracy ; the engraving (unavoidably) figures represent prophets, two must be gives but a faint idea of the beauty of the represented twice over, original. It is impossible to do it justice ^ More properly sexfoils ; but the even in a folio size. general form is that of a trefoil. - Or possibly the four Doctors of the ' Who may very probably have aided Church. This, however, seems less likely, their imagiuatioH by the study of .similar as none of them has any episcopal vest- repertories of medieval monsti-ification ments, but all are habited alike in loose existing in the Low Countries.