[XVI.] Ancient Crucifix.
This relic is a good specimen of the work of the early enamellers of Limoges. The Byzantine origin of this school is shown by the monogram IHS XPS, and the wooden board to which the feet are separately attached. The Saviour is clothed in a long tunic, with a crown on his head; above appears a hand in benediction, the usual symbol of the first person of the Trinity. The figure below may represent the dead rising at the crucifixion. The back ground is a copper plate in which various enamels are embedded, to this is fixed the figure in relief, the tunic enamelled, and the eyes formed with blue glass. The whole has been gilt.
This cross has been used for the face of a book cover or the centre compartment of a shrine. Date end of the 12th century.
[XVII.] Oak Chair.
This chair is in the Ratcliffe Room, Corby Castle, and is called My Lady’s Chair, having belonged to the Countess of Derwentwater, who went over to Brussels on the execution of her husband at the Tower 1715, and died 1723. There is an account of it in the “Memorials of James Earl of Derwentwater, collected by H. Howard.”
It belongs to the latter half of the 17th century, although the ornaments have evidently been partly borrowed from very ancient examples.
[XVIII.] Roman Plough in Bronze, and Queen Mary’s Rosary.
This antique is curious as showing the mode of ploughing, probably introduced into Britain by the Romans. The oxen are heavily harnessed, and there is an appearance of bands round the inner horns of each. The right hand of the figure has probably held a long goad. It was found at Piercebridge, Durham. The Rosary is gold, having 110 round beads, and 11 large of filigree work, was sold in Edinburgh by a French refugee, Captain Leger, at the beginning of the century, who claimed to be a descendant from Melville, Queen Mary’s Secretary, and to have had the relic with others in his family from that time. As far as internal evidence goes it belongs to the date attributed to it. It is now in the possession of George Mennell, Esquire, Newcastle.
[XIX.] Iron Work.
In the absence of iron work properly belonging to the district having come under our notice, we have given these fine specimens, belonging to the Society of Arts, Edinburgh. They are probably of Nuremberg manufacture. The first is a bell-pull. The second a lock-handle. The three scutcheons are for latch or key plates.