which, owing to the intrinsic value of the metal employed, few examples are to be found. Amongst the bequests of Cardinal Beaufort, A.D. 1446, occurs a Pax of gold, "deosculatorium pacis de auro," and one little Pax of the like precious material was found in the treasury of Winchester Cathedral at the surrender. The list of sacred ornaments which apparently composed the furniture of the Royal Chapel, in the reign of Richard II., includes a "portepax tout d'or" of the most magnificent description, set with diamonds, pearls, and sapphires; the figure of the Saviour on the cross formed the principal subject. This remarkable Pax weighed 21bs. 412OZ.[1] Enamel is frequently mentioned as introduced in the decoration of this sacred instrument, as in the inventory of crown jewels, 3 Edw. III., 1329[2], and that of the treasury of St. George's Chapel, Windsor, 8 Rich. II., 1385, in which is described "una paxilla nobilis" of silver gilt and enamelled, with images of the crucifix, Mary and John. More ordinary materials, however, were commonly employed; thus in the inventory of goods of St. Dunstan's, Canterbury, A.D. 1500, occur "a pax borde of latin (yehow mixed metal) wt Marye and John: a crucyfyx for a pax borde off coper and gyltt[3]." Amongst the ornaments given by Archbishop Chichele to All Souls', Oxford, about A.D. 1460, are enumerated Paxes formed of glass[4]. The Pax was very frequently of wood, painted and gilt; such a wooden Pax, of the workmanship of the later part of the fifteenth century, is in the writer's possession. It is probable that in some cases the instrument, was called, on account of the material thus employed, a "pax borde—paxbrede—pakysbred," &c., but mention is repeatedly made of pax hordes of metal, and the term board, according to its derivation from Aug. Sax. bræde, was properly used to imply a broad or tabular surface of either metal or wood.
The subjects most commonly introduced as the principal decoration of the Pax are the Crucifixion, with the Virgin and St. John standing at the sides of the Cross; the representation of the Trinity; the Annunciation, Adoration of the
- ↑ Kalend. of Exch. III., 314.
- ↑ "j. pax deosculator' arg' aym' cum uno crucifixo." Archæol., vol. x. p. 250.
- ↑ In this instance the crucifix appears to have been used in place of the tablet, the usual form of the Pax. At Durham Abbey the cover of the Textus, or Book of the Gospels, served as a Pax. Antiqu. of Durham, p. 11.
- ↑ "vj. paxys de vitro." Gutch, Coll. Cur. II. 257.
