Amongst the numerous examples of later times, one drawing claimed the special attention of the English antiquary; it was a tablet of ivory, a work of the fifteenth century, on which is sculptured a regal figure, with an escutcheon of the arms of France and England, quarterly, on each side, two attendants or pages near him. Above is inscribed, Henricus dei gra'—continued thus, at the foot,—Ang. et fra. domi' hibern'. This may have been intended to portray Henry VI. It was purchased at Venice. The latest specimen of these interesting works in ivory was a tankard, on which is sculptured in high relief a subject after one of the finest paintings by Rubens, stated to be in the Lichtenstein Gallery. M. Pulski produced, also, some exquisite drawings, representing vessels of fine mixed metal, chased and engraved with figures of men and animals, and enriched with gold and silver, and black enamel. They have excited much interest on the Continent, and various conjectures regarding their age and origin had been advanced: the Prince de Luynes had published a very curious example in the "Revue Archéologique." M. Pulski supposed that some of these ancient vessels, with Cufic inscriptions and human figures, &c., introduced in their decoration, are of Persian fabrication. Several very curious vases of metal, of similar workmanship, had been exhibited by Mr. Rohde Hawkins, at a previous meeting.[1]
By Mr. Yates.—A bronze object of unknown use, apparently a kind of double-edged axe ; it measures 1234 inches in length, the ends are sharpened, and measure 234 inches in breadth, and the central part, which is perforated to receive a handle, is much narrower. M. Pulski stated that similar objects had been found in Hungary, but of smaller size; he conceived that they had served as a kind of weapon.
Mr. Yates presented to the society, on the part of Mr. Wetherell, of Highgate, twelve of the curious "pipes," found at Whetstone, the use of which had been explained at the previous meeting. (See Journal, vol. vii. p. 397.) Mr. Yates stated that he had subsequently obtained four of these relics from another locality; they had been found in Crutched Friars. He was inclined to think that some of these "pipes" might be as ancient as the times of Elizabeth and the days of Shakspere, to whom periwigs were not unknown, and who probably himself wore such disguises to aid the illusion of the stage. The expression, "periwig-pated fellow," used by Shakspere in reference to actors, would not be forgotten.[2]
By Lord Talbot de Malahide.—A little Manual of Prayers, enclosed in a binding of silver filagree work, enamelled with much elegance.
By Mr. N. T. Wetherell.—A hexagonal table-clock, of the latter part of the reign of Elizabeth, the works formed of brass.
By Mr. Bernhard Smith.—A singular little hatchet, for "brittling," or cutting up, the deer. On one side is seen the stag at bay, speared by a hunter. On the other side are a gentleman and lady in converse, with a German inscription, and the date 1675. Erasmus, in his Praise of Folly, makes quaint allusion to the barbarous eagerness with which gentlemen devoted to the chase would fall upon the game to break it up, and take singular pride in skilfully dissecting it; for this purpose various implements were carried in the equipment for the chase.—Two handsome rapiers, and
