r SPECIMENS / OF ANCIENT CHURCH PLATE ; SEPULCHRAL CROSSES; fyc. J. H. PARKER, OXFORD; T. STEVENSON, CAMBRIDGE; RIVINGTONS, AND BURNS, LONDON. 1845 . Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015 https://archive.org/details/specimensofancieOOunse PREFACE. The Publication of the following Lithographs was undertaken in the hope of furnishing working drawings of some important articles of Church Furniture ; and imperfectly as the work has been executed, the reception it has met with may be taken as a proof that such a Publication was much needed. It may be hoped also that it will lead to the undertaking of similar works by abler hands. So much has been said in other quarters on most of the subjects here illustrated, that very little need be suggested in this place. It may be allowable, however, to make a few remarks on the Specimens of Church Plate, which have been brought under notice for the first time. It is much to be regretted that so few remains of this kind have been left in England to the present day. Numerous inquiries have been made, but with less success than was anticipated. Ancient Inventories show how rich were the Cathedrals and larger Parish Churches both in the number and costliness of their sacred vessels ; and it is more than probable that prior to the Reformation, every village Church was sufficiently, if not abundantly, furnished with them. It was hoped that by a diligent and extensive inquiry many specimens might have been brought to light ; but great as are the blessings which, through God’s mercy, the Church of England owes to the Reformation, we have always to remember that it was a period of disorder, and that in such times the treasures of the sanctuary were not likely to escape the hand of the spoiler. When old feelings are unsettled, it is no unnatural revulsion which causes men to despise and profane what they had before held in the highest esteem. In every work, morever, in which man is the agent, unless there be evidence of his acting under special and extraordinary grace, imperfection is to be looked for. Thus Church Plate was seized and melted down for the King’s uses, (a bare sufficiency being left, and as it would seem in most instances not even that, for the celebration of the Holy Communion,) or passed into the hands of private persons who anticipated the designs of the Royal Commissioners. We learn, on the authority of Heylin, that “ many private men’s parlours were hung with Altar-cloths, their tables and beds covered with Copes instead of carpets and coverlids, and many made carousing cups of the 4 PREFACE. sacred Chalices, as once Belshazzar celebrated his drunken feast in the sanctified vessels of the Temple.” (l) These excesses were doubtless lamented and protested against by some of the principal ecclesiastics of the time, but nothing resulted from any appeal they may have made, and nothing has been done till now to remedy the evil which was then committed. Various reasons may be assigned for this delay. It has been reserved, however, to the present time to aim at the recovery of much that has been lost ; and in endeavouring to restore our Churches and their Holy Services to the order and excellency which are so essential to the cherishing of deep and lowly piety, it would seem we are fulfilling one part of the special office assigned to our generation. In this undertaking it does not appear an unimportant, however it may be a subordinate portion of our task, to recover the ancient forms of the sacred vessels which are in this work brought under notice. It seems on all hands agreed that it is essential in the restoration of the fabricks of our Churches to follow in their general design the models furnished by the several styles of Gothic Architecture. In the same way, it may be regarded as a matter of equal fitness to rescue our Altars from the shameless neglect and contempt into which they had fallen, and, whilst supplying them with such costly and appropriate furniture as shall command general respect, to fashion the sacred vessels after the ancient patterns which we have reason to suppose have been in universal use in the Church. All the evidences which can be collected from manu- scripts, printed books, painted windows, and sepulchral brasses, tend to prove that these forms were selected both becfiuse of their peculiar fitness for their holy purposes, (2) and to distinguish them in a very clear and marked manner from those of ordinary and common use. In the Romish Church we know that such matters were provided for by express regulations ; (3) and, though no directions of the like kind have been furnished to ourselves, no prohibition is imposed on us, and (') There is a letter still preserved at Devizes addressed by a parishioner “unto ye Ryght Honorabell ye lord and master of Salisbury,” complaining of the pillage which was committed by “serten mene whyclie had byne ye Churchwardens,” into whose “ custodye and beryng ye paryche Church stocke, plate, juwelse, and other ornaments” bad been placed. They are accused of selling or of retaining for their own use, amongst other things, “one fayr gret Crose wythe Mary and John by estemasyon wcl worthe thyrte pounds, one peare of Candlestyke by estymasion worthe fyftene pounds, fyve Chalyse worthe twente pound, two Sensers worthe twente pound, one gret Pyxe worthe fyve pound, to Cruats worth fortey shelyngs, one Sylvate worthe four pound, one Ship wythe a Spoone worthe fyve pound, to Paxe worthe fyve pound.” f - ) “ The Paten, from having no foot, is not. likely to be overthrown, and the Chalice, in like manner, with its broad base for support, its knob tor convenience of holding and passing to the hands of the Communicants ; while the spherical shape of bowl renders its draining easy. (*) (*) Calix ita efformetur, ut cuppa aliquantulum infundo sit angusta sensim usque ad Summum labrum latior fiat. Labrum nullo modo reflectatur ; nodus ita ornetur, ut, dum calix capitur, non incommode capiatur, prsesertim quando indices et pollices disjungi non possunt. Patena inaurata undique esse debet, vel si argentea, sit saltern in interiori parte, labrum extremum circulare ita tenue adinodum, ut adjumentum inde sit ad sacrae Hostiae fragmenta facile colligenda : illam mediam concavitatem liabeat, quae amplitudinem labri calicis fere adaequet. Ampullae vel Hamulae erant quidem argenteae ; nune autem vitreas jubentur in rubrica ; ne contingat error in calice ob densiorem materiam hamularum ; qua difficile vinum dignoscitur ab aqua. Sunt autem liamae vasa aquaria rotundioris formae, et ventris globosioris. Candelabra basin habeant vel rotundam, vel potius triangularem ; et crueis basi conformem. 'Vide Gavanti Thes. Ritrum. PREFACE. 5 a liberty being permitted in the matter, we cannot hesitate to give a preference to forms which unite in their favor those three great recommendations — the general usage of the Church at large, fitness, and reverence. It is true indeed that in the time of Edward VI., and still more in that of Elizabeth, many things were laid aside, not because they were bad or unessential in themselves, but because of their abuse, real or imaginary, by the Church of Rome. It is true that the studious avoidance of vessels for the Communion, such as had been employed up to that period, resulted from this cause. It is certain also, that in the days of our 1st Charles, when our great Divines sought to restore the discipline and Ceremonial of the Church, no feeling was manifested for the ancient models of Church Architecture, Furniture, or Decoration. Allowance must be made for the revulsion before noticed as natural to the former of these periods, and for the Pagan taste which predominated in the latter. And without speaking with disparagement of such great persons we may venture to assert, that though immeasurably inferior in many higher qualities of mind to our forefathers of that time, a more complete acquaintance with ecclesiastical antiquities, renders us better qualified to undertake the important and most necessary task of restoring the ancient adornments and furniture of our Churches. The Authors of this little work feel also that much might be said in favour of their attempt to draw attention to an improvement of the burial places of a Christian land. To give them again a Christian character, to make them again both to the eye and mind, significant of faith, penitence, and humility, instead of places for the exhibition of heathen emblems, and boastful panegyrics, and doggrel metre, could not but be a vast gain. But as so much has been done in this way by others, especially by J. H. Markland, Esq., in his admirable little volume, (4) they abstain from saying more. They would, in conclusion, express their regret that so much delay has unavoidably arisen in bringing out the Numbers of this work, and intreat indulgence for its defects. <4) “ Remarks on English Churches.” — Oxford, 1843. ' * LIST OF PLATES. Sltmcut Cljutclj JJlatc. CHALICES. 1. St. Sampson’s, Guernsey. Silver-gilt, knob pierced. Inscription on base: “ Sum ecclas Divi Sampsonis, 1614,” 2. Combe Pyne, Devon. 3. Plans of Bases of Nos. 1 and 2. 4. Leominster, Herefordshire. ' 5. Plan of Base of No. 4. 6. In the possession of Selim, Dean, and Co., London. Knob solid, and engraved. 7. In the possession of the Rev. E. J. Phipps, Devizes. This small Chalice is made up of three parts (Bowl, Stem and Knob, and Base), which screw together, and is of a very convenient size for the communion of the sick. The diminutive vessels generally used for this purpose, independently of their incorrect shape and details, are too much like toys. 8. Trinity College, Oxford. Formerly belonged to St. Alban’s Abbey. Each side of the stem is ornamented similarly to the one shewn in this plate. 9. Plan of Base of No. 8. 10. Corpus Christi College, Oxford. Given to the College by Bishop F ox, the founder. 11. Details of No. 10. In the compartments of the Base are the emblembs of the Crucifixion; St. Thomas, with the arrow in his hand; St. Jerome, in Cardinal’s cap, with a lion near him; St. Margaret, with dragon under her feet and Cross in hand; St. Mary Magdalene, with box of Spikenard ; and the Blessed Virgin Mary. 12. In the possession of Messrs. Harvey and Co., London. 13. Plan of Base of No. 12. 14. In the possession of Messrs. Harvey and Co., London. This Chalice has a foreign character, and is of a later date than the foregoing. It, as well as the following, is probably of Spanish manufacture. 15. Plan of Base of No. 14. 16. In the possession of Messrs. Payne, Bath. 17. Plan of Base of No. 16. These Chalices are not given as Specimens for exact imitation, not one being free from fault ; they are all, however of ancient date, and possess features which may he successfully copied in modern vessels of this kind. It is to he observed that a very great similarity exists between the majority of them. The rule before stated (see Preface, note 3) seems to have been generally strictly followed in the important particulars of the Bowls, Bases, and Knobs, — the first being shallow 8 LIST OF PLATES. and broad, with straight lips ; the last large, and well-defined, and conveniently placed for affording a firm hold. In Chalices of a post-Reformation date, the neglect of this rule proves a great fault. In consequence of the great depth of the Bowl, and the contracted form of the mouth, the Communicants, when there is but little of the consecrated Element in the Cup, are obliged, with much inconvenience and great seeming irreverence, almost to invert the vessel. The more spherical the form of the Bowl, the more thoroughly is this difficulty and unseemliness in communicating increased. This will readily appear by comparing the Chalices in plates 2 and 4, or 2 and 10. Suppose them filled, and the stems gradually turned towards an horizontal position ; it will be seen how much less an angle No. 2 makes with the horizontal than the others, and consequently how much greater is the difficulty of pouring out all the contents. The Bowl may, however, be made too spreading, and so become both inelegant and unsafe, as in plate 12 ; more especially if it have a curved lip. The Knobs are mostly very similar. They are large, and all have the four-leaved flower and alternate enrichment. Some are pierced and embossed ; others are solid and engraved. Independently of their adding greatly to the beauty of the vessel, large knobs are very convenient for passing it safely into the hands of Communicants. Another feature to be particularly noticed is the broad hexagonal Base. In no instance among these here given, is that form departed from. The stems are for the most part six-sided, and even when that is not the case, the rule with regard to the Base is observed. (See plate T.) ALTAR CRUET. St. Apolline, Guernsey. This vessel is parcel-gilt, and the only ancient one of the kind yet discovered, On this account it is particularly valuable. It is in the possession of John Guille, Esq., Bailiff of Guernsey, and belonged to the very early, and now desecrated, Chapel of St. Apolline.* PATE AS. 1. Great Waltham, Essex. 2 . Pilton, Somersetshire. 3 . Cliffe, Kent. 4. Walmer, Kent. This has the character rather of an Alms-dish than of a Paten. 5. Wymondham, Norfolk. 6. Brancaster, Norfolk. 7. Shernbourne, Norfolk. 8. In the possession of Selim, Dean, and Co., London. 9 . Trinity College, Oxford. ALTAR CA A RLE STICKS. 1. In the possession of Thos. Willement, Esq., F. S. A. 2 . Christ Church, Hoxton, Middlesex. For an account of this building, see Part I. of the Cambridge Camden Society’s Transactions. LIST OF PLATES. 9 Sepulchral tit. BRASSES. 1. T. Chichele; 1400; Higham Eerrars, Northamptonshire. 2. Nicholas de Aumberdene. Taplow, Bucks. 3. Robert Paris and Wife, 1408. Hildersham, Camb. On the originals of Nos. 2 and 3 there are figures; but as, in giving these Brasses, it was not the design to do more than encourage a better taste in the form of Sepulchral Monuments, it was thought that the figures might be omitted. COFFIN LIDS. 1 . Bitton, Gloucestershire. 2. Weston, near Bath. 3. Cold Higham, Northamptonshire. 4. Tin tern Abbey. 5. Wigston Magna, Leicestershire. 6. Flaxley Abbey, Gloucestershire. 7. Ely Cathedral. Found in the Chancel of St. Mary’s Church, Ely, in the year 1829. On the soffit of the arch over the head of the Angel is inscribed, “SCS MICHAEL ORE PRO ME.” Date c. 1160. GRAVE STONES. 1. Exeter Cathedral. 1291. 2. Monkton Farleigh, Wilts. Found in the year 1841, with other grave stones and portions of early military and ecclesiastical effigies, when the site of the Priory Chapel was discovered. FONTS. 1. Lullington, Somersetshire Norman. 2. Chirton, Wilts --------------- Norman, 3. Details of Chirton Font. 4. Wellow, Somersetshire E. English. 5. Steeple Ashton, Wilts - -- -- -- -- -- -- Perpendicular. 10 LIST OF PLATES. Stone Pulpit. Naunton, Gloucestershire. Niche. Bradford, Wilts. In the East wall, on the South side of the East window, in the ruinous and sadly desecrated Chapel of our Lady, sometimes called Lady Well Chapel. There was a corresponding Niche on the North side of the window, of which the Canopy only is preserved. Front of a Church Chest, Guernsey. Found in the year 1839, and supposed to have belonged to the parish Church of S. Sampson. Guernsey. In the possession of F. C. Lukis, Esq. Door Scutcheons, Rectory Hcuse, Buckland, Gloucestershire. CHALICE, Full Si’Zej (xt wn/se'i/. JT f.Z’uJou, 2?sy. de,i t Silver - gnlt Chalice, S. S a-Trtps ore’s (a.ctiLcuL sne^ G,u.ern ssy CHALICE, FiMSixt Override Fi/ne . Cwtnde' CHALICE., JfaZ&tSizes, jOetfmtrMte'K J&re/vn ds/iires. INSCRIPTION ON BOWL, C^& dih/ . -V , ' -i vV t , CHALICE IN THE POSSESSION OF R E V D EJ. PHIPPS, DEVIZES. (JFuMSiz*., L u 1 ' * ■ &.■* sM I * IS I •- CHALICE, TRINITY COLLEGE, OXFORD, FULL SIZE. In/s or < 771 / Jltfiris, + CALICEM SALUTARIS ACIPIAM ET NOMINE DOM! PLAN OF BASE OF CHALICE, Tri'rt'i'tif fotteyt', fo/bra/, I' FulZ’ Spza.J CHALICE, Corpus Christo Coll Oxford. Plowb of Knoo, -full six-e-. CHALICE, Fu2L Svx,&, In the possession of Mess 1 ! Harvey $C C v 128 , HeaenZ Street. PLAN OF BASE OF CHALICE, Fuli Sizes, In' He possess inn* of Jtfissi* JFznre// 1 C? / \ In the possession of Mess rs Harrep 8f C? 128, Repent Street. Jh, foe- /msesswK e U' Stem o-p CKcilice -Tronx cast: on fjf |sosstssioa of Mess.' Payae, Bath., (■fall z-e.) ( Bowl nxtSSi-a^.) « *4s Base of Cfi a Uc. e , f rom ca.e't in, w possess* Me&sT 5 Rx-tj-ne., Bat/*. rou.net y Jowl , y woTeJs S anote. Pautle ora pro not/cS. Section PATEN, Great WaJotfea/ri, Ess vac. JiM scTce. Paten , ■put on. , Co. s om ers . PATEN, SILVER-GILT &, ENAMELLED, PATEN? WALMER, KENT, TuJZ Six,e. PAT E N , FuZl SbZt' Wywv&Ptei'k'Mt JVbrfvl/o. Se-1 •yfrwn, irf PATEN, -Full Size-. II ran-uost&r H?rf(?/s/o. jyT.A-.Fvt-F^, d&iV PATEN, y*u£l- svze/. #rf0( Pctte.n. in. w joos&essum 0+ Sslnm. , Dean % Co, .LoticIoti. ( ■fw.U &\2.t .) W. B a tltr -field E.sq PAT E N , TRI N I TY COLLEGE, OXFORD, ( Full Sive.J BRASS CANDLESTICK OF THE X VT M C E N T U RY, Jn t/ves j&ffssesswn/ ef T/u> s 2: sf r J^ S.A . © © ANCIENT CANDLESTICK, JVow al Ch ros tcJiureh,; llosci^>n, / MwCMese.%>. , . . JoaZ&l iJn-cJir -ix> 1 Fe/rfr. BRASS TO T. CHICHELE, fh q/uimyFermrs, N^ % Fee t. la It\cF t© (7ns Foot. ± ■ Coffin -li cl Bitton , Glouc: t i i li Incl to One Toot- _j a -feet ■ ■ COFFIN LID, WESTON near BATH If Inch tv Foot COFFIN LID, $ ScrdZ# 2 £ 2n 1 -' z o h- ScaZe, li* Tnoto to JSFoot FONT, CHIRTON, WILTS, • ' im 1 ■ ■y . ^y- : -■*,/- Mk/~ •' •*/- : v- \ '4W Scale* of 3 In-ckes to oa-e foot. Llevatton. of Foret. Vertical. Section.. li ituik t a one. poo-fc. Font (^E. Engl is k.) Well ow, Co- Som. T J£cri,Z0wt6 Section, ef It ns i/v. FONT, STEEPLE ASHTON, WILTS. y&r£uwol- Se ci^^i/ . St'cvlo, li Zn-cfr 1 nr, (SSoroo-M hire/j So