Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 4.djvu/265

AND APPLIANCES OF SACRED USE. 245 wood of some rare quality, instead of stone, such as the "ij. Tables de yban (ebony) pro superaltar's," valued at twenty shillings, in the Kalendars of the Exchequer, 12 Edw. III., A.D. 133S. Many other notices might be brought together regarding super-altarla, used in England, such as occur in invento- ries of the treasuries of cathedral churches, of the collegiate chapel at AVindsor, taken in 1384% and the lists of benefac- tions to various churches, frequently recorded by monastic chroniclers. The examples already cited may, however, suf- fice to shew of what materials these altars were formed, and the costly nature of their decoration. Several ancient altars of this kind still exist, avcU deserving of the attention of the anticpiary, as remarkable examples of various artistic processes, or of symbolical design. Of one of these, now in our own country, I am enabled, by the kindness of the present posses- sor, the Rev. Dr. Rock, to offer representations in illustration of these notices. This highly curious super-altar, or " altarino vescovile portatile," as it is designated by the Count Cicog- nara, in whose collection it formerly was, is formed of oriental jasper, enclosed in silver, most beautifully ornamented with vielli, and ornaments engraved, pounced, or repousses. At the four angles appear representations of the elements per- sonified as females, crowned, and bearing appropriate sym- bols ; on the upper margin is the Agnus Dei, tlie blood issuing from its breast, and received in a chalice ; beneath is the holy dove, standing upon an altar. On either side of the lamb is introduced a figure of an angel, one holding the globe or mound, surmounted by a double cross, the other bearing a sceptre, symbols of sovereignty. The perfection and delicacy of workmanship, both in the nielh and the varied stippling of the field in the various compartments, some of which are finely cross-hatched, others being pounced with circles, or minute chevrons, as also the elegant foliated ornaments of the base, of which some notion may be obtained from the accom- panying woodcuts, render this object one of the most curious existing specimens of the skill of the Italian orefci during the thirteenth century. Its dimensions are about 1.2 in. by 1 in. It was formerly in the possession of the Cardinal Bessa- ' Mon. Angl., torn. iii. Eccl. Colleg., p. served with the relics in the church of Rl. Several super-altars of jet (do Gete Durham, enumerated in the Appendix to nigro — de geete) and of jasper were pre- Hcdc, cd. Smith, j). 744. VOL. IV. K k