Archaeological Journal/Volume 29/Proceedings at Meetings of the Royal Archaeological Institute (Part 4)
Proceedings at Meetings of the Royal Archaeological Institute.
July 5, 1872.
Mr. Octavius Morgan, M.P. and V.P., in the chair.
The Chairman adverted with great regret to the recent decease of Sir Thomas E. Winnington, Bart., one of the Council, who had rendered the Institute great service. His house at Stanford Court was full of objects of archæological interest, and the singular series of family pictures painted on the walls of a room at the top of the house was in itself worth a visit. Sir Thomas had brought many objects for exhibition at the meetings of the Institute, and in many ways contributed to the success of their monthly, as well as their annual meetings. His death was a great loss to the Institute; to his own family it must be much heavier, and he hoped the meeting would pass a vote of condolence to Lady Winnington on the occasion. This having been formally proposed by Mr. Parker, was unanimously agreed to.
The Chairman then introduced the Rev. E. Kell and Mr. F. Lankester as representatives of the Mayor of Southampton, who was prevented attending by an attack of gout. The Rev. E. Kell assured the members that the Institute would be cordially welcomed at Southampton, and spoke at some length upon the many objects of archæological importance with which the town and neighbourhood abounded.
Mr. J. T. Wood drew attention to the excavations in progress at Ephesus, and exhibited photographs showing some of the results which had been obtained, and a plan of the excavations. Among these were a group of architectural fragments and portion of a sculptured colunm, which showed without doubt that the site of the celebrated Temple of Diana had been reached, the column being one of the columnæ cælatæ described by Pliny. A great deal had been effected; all doubts as to the site of the temple had been solved; but there was still much more to be done, and funds were wanted. He ventured to submit that it was a case in which Government aid should be given, and trusted the meeting would follow up the action of the Society of Antiquaries in the matter, and memorialize the Government for assistance. Professor Donaldson eulogised the energy and skill shown by Mr. Wood, and spoke highly of the importance and value of the work. He moved that a memorial be addressed by the Council of the Institute to Her Majesty's Government, soliciting a vote in aid of the continuance of the explorations.
The Chairman, thinking that an excellent case had been made out in favour of a grant from Government in aid of the excavations, submitted the proposal to the meeting, and it was carried with acclamation.
Mr. Burtt read some "Notes," by Mr. Albert Way, "On a copper matrix, bearing the Holy Lamb," which had been lately found at Bristol.
"Mr. J. F. Nieholls, of the Bristol City Library, has sent for exhibition an impression of a copper matrix found in June, 1872, in the works for the new pier in the river Avon, at Bristol. It lay in the bed of the river, at a depth, as stated, of 40 feet, embedded in clay, and just above the alluvial soil. The plate is of an irregular-square form, about two inches and an eighth in diameter, and nearly a quarter of an inch in thickness. It bears in intaglio the device of the Agnus Dei; the reverse is quite plain, without any trace of a handle or other adjustment. There are three slight flaws in the work, and on that account, it had been conjectured, the object, supposed to have been intended for a seal, might have been thrown aside, and the irregular margin not cut away, so as to bring the work to the usual circular form used for sealing. Around the head of the lamb there is a cruciferous nimb; with one of the fore legs it holds a triple-tailed gonfanon, and the part of that streamer nearest the staff is ornamented with a kind of saltire-shaped device, having a quatrefoil in its centre. The lamb stands on a scroll, or band, with plain ends cut off square. The legend is as follows:—✠ agnvs: dei qvi tollis: pecca mvndi miserere. The Contracted word pecca is obviously for peccata. The date of the work seems to be the close of the thirteenth or beginning of the fourteenth century.
Medallion of copper found in the River Avon, at Bristol.
"The irregular form of this object, and its general character, appear to suggest that it was not intended for use as a seal, as has been conjectured, but for some other purpose. Mr. Nicholls mentioned that it might have been, as imagined, a seal of one of the religious houses in Bristol, possibly of that of the Templars, and that its purpose was for casting badges or religious tokens, of lead or other material, for distribution to pilgrims or the like. It has been purchased for the somewhat extravagant price of 7l. by the Knights Templars Lodge of Freemasons at Bristol. Mr. Addison has given, in his "History of the Knights Templars, and the Temple Church in London,"[1] a seal of circular form, with the device of the Holy Lamb, as on the relic found at Bristol, with the legend ✠ sigillvm templi. On Certain documents the seal of the order is found, the device being tho liead of a man with a long beard and a small cap: the legend is, testis svm agni.
"The Agnus was doubtless a device regarded with special veneration, and probably considered to possess certain talismanic or physical virtues. The Agni of wax, blessed by the Pope, and formed from the Paschal candle, to be presented by the Holy Father with great solemnity, as related in the "Ordo Romanus," were treasured as efficacious against evil spirits, pestilent infection, tempests, fire, and sudden death. Matthew Paris, relating that the church of St. Alban's was twice set on fire, in the time of Abbot John de Hertford, about 1235, deplores the want of wonted efficacy of the Agnus of wax blessed by the Pope, which had been placed on the summit of the tower.[2] Several examples are known of small boxes or ornamental capsules, in which the hallowed relic was preserved, and worn by the faithful.
"It should appear that besides the "impressio Papalis cerea in qua Agnus Dei figuratur," prepared at Rome with so much solemnity, there were other objects bearing the same device, and made in our own country or elsewhere, by special permission of the Holy Father. In 1773 a round matrix was found near Shaftsbury Abbey, and exhibited to the Society of Antiquaries: it was supposed to have been used for fashioning such sacred objects. By a statute of Henry VIII., such seals, or their impressions, subjected the possessor to the penalties of premunire for the first offence. For the second the offender was accounted guilty of high treason."
Medallion found at Newport, Monmouthshire, belonging to O. Morgan, Esq., M.P., F.S.A.
The Chairman remarked that he had a similiar matrix brought him about forty years ago at Newport, and it was probably of the thirteenth century. It is figured above.
Professor Bunnel-Lewis, of Queen's College, Cork, read a memoir on "Archæology as a branch of Classical Education:"—A celebrated editor of Terence had commented severely on the teaching of hexameters to the neglect of the ancient metres sung at home and in the streets, and the prosecution of classical studies in modern times, and especially in this country, deserved equally severe criticism. Possessing, as wo do in our national collections, master-pieces of Greek art, and electrotypes and photographs of others elsewhere, the materials for an improved mode of teaching were in rich profusion around us. Archæology should be made part of our educational system, as an aid to a just appreciation of ancient literature; and in these days of material progress the student had no time to spare for an unprofitable pursuit; present circumstances gave it an additional claim on our attention. Archæology assisted in dissipating the utilitarian objections to classical studies, for the antiquary who collects fragments that have survived the wreck of time was able, by the aid of the ancient writers, to reproduce a civilization in many respects the most perfect the world has seen. Archæology animated the dry bones of philology and textual criticism, till they rose up, endowed with vigour and motion. As an example, the arch of Titus might be referred to, with its many illustrations of objects and persons, either represented naturally or by types. These examples and numerous other carvings threw a flood of light on many passages of both classical and sacred writers. And such objects as those then exhibited by the lecturer—terra-cotta lamps from Cyprus, showing the dove and pomegranate, a Bacchante holding a knife in the right hand and the hindquarters of a kid in the left; the story of Actæon, and a figure of Victory standing on the crescent moon and crowning Night, with the seven stars of the great Bear as a wreath; a lamp from Syracuse with the Christian monogram; a Roman bronze lamp in the form of the caliga; objects of personal ornament, &c., from Cyprus; and a collection of original coins and electrotype copies, were additional illustrations of the argument.
The lecturer concluded with an account of what had been done at Queen's College, Cork, as regards the teaching of archæology in the illustration of the lectures of the professors of classics by means of coins, original works of antique art, casts, photographs, and electrotypes.
Mr. J. H. Parker, C.B., then gave an account of "Archæological Researches in Rome during the Past Winter" (printed at p. 249 of this volume). In conveying the thanks of the meeting to Mr. Parker for his very interesting discourse, the Chairman spoke of his own visit to Rome in the year 1827, and the excavations he then saw in progress.
Antiquities and Works of Art Exhibited.
By the Chairman.—An oval medallion in enamel by Christian Vermuth. On the obverse, on a mottled crimson ground, is a small enamelled portrait in relief of the bust of Frederick Augustus III., Elector of Saxony and King of Poland. On the reverse he is represented wearing his crimson electoral robe and crowned cap, ascending a lofty flight of steps; and above his head, in the heavens, are seen the sun and moon, to which he is looking up. Above, on a scroll, is the motto, "Tendit ad astra cursum." On the right hand is a column, on the pedestal of which is a shield, bearing what seem to be the dimidiated arms of Poland impaling Saxony; the Polish arms (if such they are) are, however, wrongly coloured, the field being argent and the Eagle gules, whereas the correct arms of Poland were gules, a single-headed eagle displayed, argent. On the shaft of the column is the inscription, "Natalibus LXVI. post primum Lutheri Reform̃—Jubilium." The date of the confession of Augsburg was 1530; the first jubilee of 100 years was in 1630: and the sixty birthdays bring the date to 1696, the year of the birth of Augustus III. He succeeded to the Electorate in 1733, and was elected King of Poland in 1734—the probable date of the medallion. Beneath the shoulder of the bust is seen the name Vermuth. Christian Vermuth was a Saxon medallist, and appears also to have worked in enamel, producing in that material portraits in relief from the dies of his medals. He had also Imperial privileges, and executed a large series of Imperial medals of mixed metal and enamel, of which he published a descriptive catalogue at Gotha in 1715, where he had fixed his residence, and these medals he advertised for sale at the Leipzig autumnal fair in that year;—A pack of playing cards, which appear to be French, as the names of the suits are all French, as is also the name of the maker, Charles Madigne. The marks and emblems of the suits, however, are those which were used in Italy from the XV. century downwards, viz.. Coupes, Batons, Espies, and Deniers, on the deuce of which latter suit is seen the maker's name in full length, with the date 1777. The four suits are complete, with the exception of one card, the valet or knave of swords, or spades. The pack of Tarat cards wants only one—No. xv., Le Diable—and, with these two exceptions, the pack is complete. The Tarat cards are as follows:—
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1. Le Bateleur.
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12. Le Pendu.
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La Papesse may bear some relation to our game of Pope Joan;—A silver gilt pomander, probably Italian, as the names of the perfumes are in that language:—Viole—Maschette—Ambra—Gesamini—Cedro—Rose—Garofole—Naransi. Each quarter holds one. There is, moreover, a central bottle, and a small bottle at the top, as also at the bottom. On the bottom is engraved an escocheon for arms, surmounted by a Cardinal's or Archbishop's hat; the arms have, however, been removed. Probable date, end of sixteenth century;—An episcopal ring, set with dark sapphire; found in 1857, in a garden in hamlet of Morton, in parish of Dinton, county of Buckingham, thirteenth century;—Gold signet ring, bearing the arms of the family of Acklam, an ancient Yorkshire family; a maunch within an orle of cinquefoils; latter part of sixteenth century.
By Mrs. Jarvis.—A very small lady's finger ring of plain gold, probably of the seventeenth century, lately found at Rochetts, Essex.
By Mr. J. F. Nicholls, of Bristol.—Matrix of a medallion of an "Agnus Dei," lately found in the river Avon.
By Mr. J. H. Pauker, C.B.—Photographs, plans, &c., illustrating archæological researches in Rome.
By Professor Lewis and the Rev. S. S. Lewis.—A small collection of Greek and Roman coins; specimens of pottery and other antiquities, comprising a Roman lamp of bronze in the form of a soldier's boot; lamps and glass vase from Cyprus; Cypriote jar from Idalium; a Roman lamp, Venus Victrix and Cupid. Also an Œnochoë, Romano-British, found near Cambridge.
By Mrs. Wickham Flower.—Ancient gold earrings from Cyprus.
By Mr. J. T. Wood.—Plan showing excavations on the site of the Temple of Diana at Ephesus; photograph of a group of architectural fragments found at Ephesus; photograph of sculptured column of the Temple of Diana at Ephesus.
By Professor Donaldson.—Nine matrices of seals.
These were acquired at various periods, some in Italy, and others in Paris, and are all most probably reproductions from authentic impressions of the original seals.
1. "Sigillvm Conmvnie Divionis." Dijon, in France. A circular seal, 338 in. in diameter. In the field, which is circular and is 158 in. in diameter, is a figure on horseback to the right, bareheaded, with a hawk on the right hand, near which is an eight-rayed flamboyant sun, and, in front of the horse, a crescent. Round this field is a circle about 14 in. wide, on which is the legend in fourteenth-century characters. Outside this is another circle of twenty divisions with semicircular arches, containing boldly projecting heads of varied character and expression, one head in each arch; but this portion is less perfect than the inner. There is engraved in the "Trésor de Glyptique," by Le Normant, "Sceaux des Communes," pl. xiv., a seal very similar, but it differs in having no arches over the heads in the outer circle.
2. "Sigillvm Commvnitetis ville Condomensis." Condom, in France. A circular seal, 3 in. in diameter. The device is a fortified town (of the twelfth century), with five square towers, four of which have arched gateways. In front of the largest tower is a bridge with three pointed arches, under which a river is flowing; from the gateway of this tower a knight on horseback is issuing to cross the bridge. In the town is seen the Cathedral; its gable end is surmounted by a cross, and there is a central tower.
3. "Sigillvm Sancti Quiriaci Provini." Provins, in France. A circular seal, 212 in. in diameter, probably of the fourteenth century. The device is a three-quarter figure of the saint in full costume, a crosier in his right hand and a cross in his left. In the field are two eight-pointed stars, and four small groups of three dots each. St. Quiriac is the patron saint of Ancona; the Cathedral there being dedicated to him.
4. "Cristoffe de Lorrain chevalier Seigneur de Rabon." Rabon, in the Hautes Alps of France. A circular seal, 158 in. in diameter; probably late in fifteenth century. The device is a knight in armour on horseback, galloping to the right. On his left arm is a shield, charged with a bend. His mantle floats in the wind, and in his raised right hand is a sword, crossing behind his helmet, which is surmounted by a plume and has the vizor down. The ground is parsemé with flowers.
5. "S. Conventvs Clarevallis." Clairvaux, in France. A circular seal, nearly 2 in. in diameter, of late fourteenth-century character. The device is three niches surmounted by elaborately enriched canopies, flanked on each side by a smaller niche. In the centre niche is a figure of the Virgin and Child, and in each of the two niches next it is the figure of a bishop with a crozier.
6. "Sigillvm Capitoli de Mvxeio." a circular seal, 1{{fs70|1116. in. in diameter, of thirteenth-century work (?). The device is a figure of St. Peter seated on a chair, the arms and feet of which have the head and claws of a griffon. The figure is fully robed, and has a tiara on the head. In the right hand are the double keys; in his left a volume resting against his chest. On the field are distributed the letters, "Sc's Petrvs."
7. "S. Dn'i Jacobi Cvrialis D. Salerno Dei gratiâ Ep'i Bisignianensis." Bisignano, in Italy. A seal of the vesica piscis form, 218 in. long by 138 in. wide, of late fourteenth-century work. The device is in three divisions. In the lowest division is a narrow square-shaped panel with a trefoiled head, containing a robed figure standing, possibly episcopal; on each side is a shield charged with a bend indented. The middle division is a square compartment with three flat-arched foliated heads, one over each of three figures occupying the field. The centre figure is that of the seated Virgin, with the infant Jesus standing on her left knee; on her left is a saint, with a sword in the right hand and a staff in the left; on her right is a similar figure, with a palm branch (?) in the right hand. All have nimbi. The upper division has a richly canopied head in three divisions, under which is seated God the Father, on his throne, his head encircled with a nimbus. He bears in front the Saviour on the cross.
8. "S' Capitoli Sc'e Marie Scola Grecor'"—probably of some Institution at Venice. A seal of the same form as No. 7, 2 in. long and 1516 in. wide, probably of the fifteenth century. The device is a figure of the Virgin seated on a throne, with the infant Jesus on her left knee and a sceptre in her right hand. She is under a deeply recessed canopy with a trefoiled head, resting on a slender spiraled column on each side, surmounted by capitals.
9. S' Grimaldi P'oris Sc'e Catarine d' Mut." Modena, Italy. A seal of the same form as No. 7, 178 in. long by 1116 in. wide. The device is a full-length figure of St. Catherine crowned and richly robed, her feet resting on a trefoiled arch, under which is a small figure of a monk praying. On each side of her is a row of alternate flowers and crosses placed vertically.
SPECIAL EXCURSION TO GUILDFORD.
Tuesday, July 2, 1872.
In accordance with the wish expressed at the May meeting of the Institute, when Mr. G. T. Clark gave his address, "Some account of Guildford Castle" (printed at p. 1 of the present volume), this day was fixed for the special excursion to Guildford, a visit extemporised to suit the convenience of members in town in union with the gentry of the neighbourhood.
The party left the Waterloo Station of the South Western Railway by ordinary train at 11.30 A.M. The number of persons from London was not considerable; but invitations having been freely issued in the neighbourhood of Guildford, a large number of ladies and gentry availed themselves of the opportunity thus offered to them, and joined the members of the Institute, when they arrived from London. Among them were Mr. Octavius Morgan, M.P., Mr. G. T. Clark, Sir E. Smirke, Mr. J. H. Parker, C.B., the Hon. Mrs. Way and Miss Way, Mr. and Mrs. J. Gongh Nichols, Mr. J. G. Nichols, jun., Mr. Talbot Bury and Miss Bury, Col. Pinney, Rev. J. B. Deane, Rev. R. P. and Mr. Coates, Mr. J. W. Bernhard Smith, Mr. Henry Ross, Mr. Burtt (Hon. Sec. of the Institute), the Mayor of Guildford and Mrs. Shoobridge, Mr. G. Cubitt, M.P., Mr. Leveson Gower, Mr. J. More Molyneux, the Hon. G. C. Norton, Rev. Dr. Monsell, Mr. R. A. C. Godwin Austen, Gen. Twemlow, Rev. R. Trimmer, Mrs. Trimmer, Col. Ross, Rev. Dr. Merriman, Capt. Deane, Mrs. Deane, Capt. Dyer, Rev. C. Kerry, Rev. Mr. Letchworth, Rev. Mr. Somerset, Mr. and Mrs. Lidgate, Capt. and Mrs. Vickers, Mr. T., Mrs., and Miss Taunton.
The church of St. Mary was the first object visited, and here Mr. J. H. Parker, C.B., exhibited a ground plan of the church, carefully made upon a large scale, so as to show the various changes and alterations it had undergone. Mr. Parker then gave his discourse upon the structure (which has been already printed at p. 170 of the present volume), and pointed out, with great care, the peculiar features of the building, both in the interior and exterior.
On leaving the church, the party proceeded to Abbot's Hospital, in the High Street. This is a collegiate establishment for aged persons, founded by George Abbot, Archbishop of Canterbury, in the year 1619, having a common hall, with its appurtenances, library, and chapel. It is a very good example of such an establishment, being almost entirely unaltered, and the slight restorations which have been made being well done. In the chapel are two windows of excellent painted glass, which attracted much attention, and were the subjects of considerable discussion. In the quaint-looking library, a room over the entrance gateway, panelled with oak, and having a highly carved mantelpiece, was exhibited a large and remarkable collection of flint implements, &c., which had been chiefly found in the neighbourhood. Upon these a short but able discourse was given by the Rev. C. Kerry, the owner of the collection. In the windows of this room are the arms of the founder of the Hospital, with the motto of the foundation conceived in the spirit of the time, "Clamamus Abba pater."
Descending the High Street, towards the Angel Hotel (in which luncheon was prepared), many of the party inspected the crypts under that hostelry, and a house (doubtless also an inn) on the opposite side of the road. These are each of six bays, well vaulted and groined in the Early Decorated style,—probably thirteenth century work,—and are divided into aisles (?) by two columns with plain capitals. Each had two high windows towards the street, the level of which must then have been the same as at present. Sir E. Smirke took the chair at the luncheon, and, after an excellent repast, the Mayor of Guildford ad- dressed some pleasant words of welcome to the Institute. Mr. Lidgate, the proprietor of the Castle school, supplemented the remarks of the mayor by saying that no difficulties were thrown in the way of those who wished to see the Castle. The Chairman, in the name of the Institute, shortly acknowledged the cordial welcome they had received, and as there was still much to be done, proposed their speedy adjournment to the Castle grounds. Here, on the summit of the mound, and in front of the keep, Mr. Clark gave the discourse upon the Castle which has been already noticed, and, after his references to the building generally, went carefully over those minor portions of his lecture which dealt with existing remains of the structure, and conducted the party from one point to another as best suitable for the examination. Col. Pinney moved a cordial vote of thanks to Mr. Clark for his excellent lecture, which was passed by acclamation.
The Caverns, which are at a short distance from the Castle, were then visited, Mr. Clark leading the way. By the kind directions of Lord Grantley, excellent arrangements had been made by Mr. T. Russell, his lordship's agent, to enable the visitors to traverse throughout these remarkable quarryings in the chalk cliff. They were well lighted up with candles, and men were placed at intervals to give information as to the exact locality, and direct the wanderers in this underground maze, which of course seemed of much greater than its real extent. The subject of the Caverns had been discussed by Mr. Clark, and reference was made by him to a little work noted below,[3] which had been lately published, but in all the conclusions of which he did not quite agree.
A small party went, under the guidance of Mr. Parker, to inspect Loseley House, a good example of an Elizabethan mansion, the seat of Mr. J. More Molyneux; but the greater number of visitors turned at once homewards, carrying with them very agreeable reminiscences of the day's proceedings.