p. 79, from a representation communicated by Mr. Hoare.[1] He observes, that silver ornaments of this class are of much greater rarity than those of bronze.
By Mrs. Weekes, of Hurst Pierpoint.—An impression from a small oval cameo, described as an onyx, representing two winged genii leaning upon inverted torches (?), with one leg crossed over the other, and seen in profile, looking towards each other. The dimensions of the gem are nearly three quarters by half an inch. It was found in a barrow in St. Leonard's Forest, Sussex, with a Roman brass coin in very imperfect condition, with apparently an imperial head on the obverse, bearing some resemblance to Hadrian, and on the reverse a circular object resembling a buckler, with several concentric rings: no trace of the legend remained. A small etching of these relics, then in the possession of the Rev. Joseph F. Fearon, F.S.A., was executed by the late Mr. T. King, of Chichester.—Also, an impression from a gold trefoil-shaped brooch, found near Brighton Place, at Brighton, in 1811; it is formed of three scrolls, thus inscribed:— + en espoir. ma. vye. endure. (See woodcut.) Date, XVth cent. Mrs. Weekes sent also a sketch of a gold ornament of later date, a plain heart-shaped variety of the ring-brooch, inscribed,—Is thy Heart as my Heart. It was found at Newtimber, Sussex, in 1790. Diam. about 2 inches.
By Mr. Farrer.—A small Saracenic coffer of ivory of the Xth century, elaborately sculptured with eagles, foliated and interlaced ornaments, in pierced work (opus triforiatum). The hinge and the band which forms a fastening are of white metal, inlaid with a kind of niello {?). An inscription in Cufic character surrounds the upper part. This curious object measures 4 inches in diameter; it was formerly in the collection of Eugene Piot. The following explanation of the inscription has been given by the learned archaeologist, M. Reinaud—
"On lit sur le rebord du couvercle du coffret une inscription Arabe en caractères Koufiques, dont voici la traduction.—Une favour de Dieu au serviteur de Dieu Al Hakem Al-Mostanser-billah commandeur des croyants. Le Prince dont il s'agit ici est le Khalife Ommiade d'Espagne, qui regna à Cordoue entre les années 961 et 976 de l'ère Chrétienne. Quant au personnage dont le nom est placé à la suite de celui du prince, c'est probablement le nom de l'artiste."
Mr. Farrer produced also a richly ornamented casket, recently brought from the church of St. Servatius at Maestricht. It is of gilt metal, set with gems, and decorated with enamelled and chased work of beautiful execution. Upon the lock is an escutcheon charged with these arms, Gules, a wall embattled Or. Ginanni gives as the bearing of Dal Muro in Spain, "di rosso con un muro d'oro merlato di 5 pezzi."[2]
- ↑ See another curious example of bronze, in Mr. Brackstone's collections, which is analogous to Mr. Hoare's "Galway brooch," in the trefoiled ornamentations of the ends, and presents an intermediate type between the ring-brooch and the "penannular." Journal, vol.ix. p. 200. The "Galway brooch" above described is figured, Proceedings Kilkenny Arch. Soc., vol. iii. p. 11.
- ↑ Ginanni, Arte del Blazone, p. 255. It is, however, scarcely probable that the bearing upon Mr. Farrer's casket is Spanish. Wirsberg bore such a coat, but the wall argent.
