Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 9.djvu/376

 296 PROCEEDINGS AT MEETINGS OF bv o-rotesque hats, which take every variety of form, from the wide-awatc to the triple pyramid of the Jew old dothesman. " The heads of the Bishops are finely and boldly drawn, but there is evidently no attempt at portraiture. They represent men under fifty years of ao^e, and have certain pecuUarlties (such as that the eyebrows are formed by a series of small curls) common to both. The smaller figures (particularly the apostles) show both beauty and spirit in the drawing, and the drapery is often finelv disposed. The artist was evidently equally at home in the bold execution of the large figures and in the delicate engraving required by the smaller.* It would be diflicult, if not impossible, to find an example of the same kind of art in which the engraver shows a greater facility of execution and command over his material. '• An inscription in elegant Lombardic characters surrounds the whole, and runs as follows : (the words contracted in the original being here printed at length). ' Anno domini millesimo tricentesimo decimo septimo tercia decima die mensis martii obiit venerabOis pater dominus burchardus de Serken hujus ecclesia episcopus cujus anima requiescat in pace amen. Anno domini millesimo tricentesimo quinquagesimo jubileo decimo kalendas septembris obiit venerabilis pater dominus Johannes de Mill hujus ecclesia lubicensis episcopus et fundator hujus capelle orate pro anima cius' (no doubt a blunder for ejus). " The second rubbing was from a brass in the choir of the church of St. Mary at Liibeck. This is not a plate, but a figure brass, and represents a male figure in civil costume. It measures 6 ft. in length. The dress consists of a gown with tight sleeves reaching to the ancles and but- toned down the front for about two-thirds of its length. Over the shoulders is a short cape, or what would now be called a tippet, and on the hips a heavy and ornamented belt buckled in front. The shoes have long pointed toes, and are fastened by a strap and buckle. The hair is worn long, and the beard pointed. Neither inscription nor escutcheons remain, and it wovdd therefore be very difficult to ascertain who it was whom this effigy was intended to commemorate. Doubtless he was a Burgher of Liibeck ; and, judging from the conspicuous position of his grave, probably a person of importance. It is evident from the style of the drawing and execution, as well as from the costume, that this brass is of Flemish work, and that it dates from about the middle of the fourteenth century." Mr. Edward Richardsox read an interesting essay on the use of alabaster in England, in medieval times, as shown by numerous tombs, effigies, and sepulchral slabs, more particxilarly in the Midland Counties. ^nttqutticiS anil Uiaifk^ af Srt tyfiiiittti. By. Mr. Smirke. — A collection of antique gems, intaglios, ornaments of gold, and various ancient rehcs, discovered in Asia ilinor. By the Hon. PacHARD Neville. — Three remarkable coins, recently dis- covered in excavations at the Fleam Dyke, Cambridgeshiie. (See above, page 226). By the Rev. C. W. Bixgham. — A small bronze ring fibula, found in In like manner, the painter Heme- quisitely delicate and finished in those linck IS ef|ually bold and broad in his miniature groups which abound in the treatment of his larger figures, and ex- back-grounds of his pictures.