It is a curious question in this, as in many like cases, whether these monstrous figures are to be considered as merely ornamental, or whether any symbolical meaning is to be looked for. If in this instance a symbolical allusion was intended, it is certainly not very clearly brought out.
The niches on each side of the bishop contain twelve small figures. Those on the right represent canons, or other ecclesiastical officers; those on the left, officers of the bishop's household.
The first series consists of
1. A figure habited in a large cap, long gown, and almuse, probably the præpositus of the cathedral.
2. A figure in a gown, almuse, and cap, pointed at the top, a book held in the right hand.
3 & 4. Two figures in capes and caps, with large falling tops; each holds an immense candle, and No. 3, what seems to be a thurible.
5. A figure in a gown and almuse, the hood of the latter over the head, the hands joined.
6. A figure in a gown and almuse, and cap, pointed at the top; carrying a large book on the left shoulder.
The other scries contains—
1. A figure in a long robe and hat, holding a scroll and a book, probably the bishop's chancellor.
2. A figure habited in a short coat, over which is a belt worn below the hips, and attached to the belt are a sword and a purse. This figure holds in the right hand a cup, and in the left a bunch of keys, and no doubt represents the bishop's chief butler. The head is covered by a cap with a falling top.
3. This figure is habited in a sleeveless cloak, reaching below the knee, and a cap like those of the canons. It holds a scroll, and may possibly represent the steward.
4. A figure bareheaded, carrying a miner's pick and a wallet on the back. The legs appear to be covered by boots lined with fur. This pro- bably represents the Berg Hauptmann, or chief miner.
5. A figure in a cloak reaching to the knees, and with long sleeves. Though the head has much the appearance of being tonsured, probably a small flat cap is meant. A dog is at the feet held in a leash. This, no doubt, represents the chief huntsman.
7. A figure with tonsured head, habited in a long gown, much like a monk's frock. In the right hand is what seems to be a bottle—probably the physician.
The arms on the escutcheon on the right side of the effigy at the top, are those of the Duchy of Silesia: Argent, an eagle displayed, sable, on which a crescent of the field. Those on the left, six fleur-de-lis, three, two, and one, will be seen to occur again on the other brass, and appear to be those of the see or of the chapter. In the Deutsches Wappenbuch the arms of the Bishop of Breslau are given as quarterly, 1st and 4th, gules, six fleur-de-lis, argt.; 2nd and 3rd, those of the Duchy of Silesia. The arms of the see of Gnesen, the archbishop of which was metropolitan of Breslau, are three fleur-de-lis.
The arms on the shield, at the right angle at the bottom, are said by Dlugossi and the author of the anonymous lives of the Bishops of Breslau, published in the collection of Rerm Silesm Scriptores, edited by Von Sommersberg, to have been borne by this bishop, and are given as—Gules, a rose argent.
