the thirteenth century. It was found in excavations in St. Thomas-street, Winchester, close to the site of the old parish church, now demolished. It was stated, that the workmen first met with a flooring of "encaustic" tiles, and on removing this there appeared beneath a pavement formed of large tiles, such as were used in Roman constructions. In the rubbish near this the ornament of ivory appeared, which very probably had been attached to some object of sacred use.
By Mr. Richard Hussey.—Several specimens, illustrative of ancient practices connected with architecture. They comprised a portion of the mortar formed of gypsum, without any use of lime, employed at St. Kenelm's Chapel, near Hales Owen; a specimen of tiles prepared for forming coarse unglazed pavements, resembling those of late Roman times; the quarry being cut through part of its thickness whilst the clay was soft, so that after firing it might readily be broken up into tessellæ of suitable size. This was found at Hartlip, Kent.—Also fragments from Danbury, Essex, showing the ancient use of terra-cotta in England for forming mouldings, as described by Mr. Hussey in the Journal (Vol. v., p. 34). They are flat portions, with a chamfered edge, so that several being arranged one over another, the angle of the chamfer alike in all, a set-off, or splayed surface, might readily be formed. Mr. Hussey presented also to the Society a small Sanctus, or sacring, bell, found during recent repairs at St. Kenelm's Chapel.
By the Rev. H. T. Ellacombe.—Sketches of two corbels, from the tower of Bitton Church, Somerset, sculptured heads probably intended to represent Edward III. and Queen Philippa. They were originally of good character, unfortunately now much impaired by exposure or injury, but interesting as contributing to fix the age of the fabric; Mr. Ellacombe considers the lower part of the tower to have been erected, circa 1377. He observed that very interesting series of regal portraits might be selected from sculptures of this kind, existing in various parts of England.
By Mr. Magniac.—A reliquary, in the form of a foot, of silver, well modelled, and of the natural size. It was formerly preserved in the Treasury of Basle Cathedral, and was brought to this country, with a magnificent votive altar tubula of gold, by Colonel Theubet.[1] The bands representing the sandal are enriched with gems, of which a few are recent restorations. The foot, above the toes, appears as if enclosed in a kind of sock, studded with gold stars, and a band around the instep, with a rich knot of pearls in front. On each ankle is a roundel of very early Byzantine cloisonné enamel, of beautiful green colour.—A fine medieval cameo of mother-of-pearl, representing the Presentation in the Temple, set in a coronet of silver gilt.—The exquisite enamelled hunting-horn, formerly in the Collection at Strawberry-hill, and painted by Leonard Limousin, expressly, as it has been supposed, for Francis I.—A beautiful little casket, of wood, delicately sculptured with subjects from the legend of St. Genevieve; at one end is a little enamelled escutcheon, party per bend, argent and sable. Date, about 1425.
By Mr. B. Vulliamy.—Six carvings, in ivory, by Fiammingo, of the highest class of art. They represent genii and bacchanalian groupes. One of them supplied the subject of a picture by Gerard Dow.
By Mr. Clarke.—Several deeds, relating to the Monastery at Little Malvern, Worcestershire; to one of them is appended a seal bearing the impress of an antique gem, in a medieval setting.—Two curious pictures, inlaid with pieces of mother-of-pearl, under transparent colouring. The
- ↑ Engraved in Archæologia, vol. xxx., p. 144.
