This little work, which is to be seen at the Louvre, may be assigned to the close of the twelfth century, and affords a specimen of the champ levé, or chiselled process, combined with filigree, which is introduced in forming the quatrefoils in the upper and lower borders of the plate.
Numerous processional crosses and crosiers still exist, of the work of Limoges. It was customary to deposit the crosier in the tomb of the prelate to whom it had belonged, and several interesting examples have thus been preserved. The most remarkable work of this kind is the crosier discovered in a tomb at Chartres cathedral, and attributed to Ragenfroi, bishop of that see, who died A.D. 941. It bears the inscription FRATER WILLIELMVS ME FECIT. The design is exceedingly elaborate ; the costume and ornament shew that it is not more ancient than the twelfth century. This relic was purchased by the late Mr. Douce, and by him bequeathed to Sir Samuel Meyrick, in whose collection at Goodrich court it is now preserved[1]. By the kindness of Mr. Shaw I am enabled here to offer a representation of a crosier of somewhat less beautiful design, which forms part of the collection of Mons. Duguay at Paris[2] (see next page). In almost all these works the enamel of the field is of that rich blue which indicates the use of cobalt.
Warton cites a passage in a metrical Romance, descriptive of a tomb enriched with "golde and limaise." The work of Limoges was frequently rendered available in the construction of sepulchral memorials. The enamelled tombs and effigies of Philippe de Dreux, bishop of Beauvais, who died 1217; Alix, countess of Britanny, wife of Peter Mauclerc; and of Simon, archbishop of Bourges[3]; may be noticed as remarkable examples: they were destroyed during the last century, and the only enamelled effigy in relief now existing in France, is the figure of one of the sons of St. Louis, who died A.D. 1247, now to be seen at St. Denis. The splendid enamelled portraiture of Geoffrey, earl of Anjou, who died A.D. 1149, is perhaps one of the choicest examples to be found in France.
- ↑ Willemin has given an excellent representation of this crosier in the Monuments Inédits. See also Gent. Mag. N.S. vi. 158.
- ↑ This woodcut, as well as that which represents the pyx belonging to Mr. Cox, form part of the illustrations of Mr. Shaw's beautiful Series of "Dresses and Decorations;" and I am indebted to his kindness in enabling me to present to our readers these interesting examples.
- ↑ Representations of these tombs may be seen in Gough's collection of drawings of foreign monuments, in the Bodleian.
