flowers, and three very much larger flowers stand high above their heads; the beasts are leopards, with their skin well spotted, and they seem to be, as it were, scenting and scratching the ground. The orphrey, cross-shaped, and 5-1/2 inches wide, is overspread with gracefully intertwined rose-branches, the leaves of which are of gold shaded green, and the flowers in silver, seeded and barbed. It is blazoned all over with armorial bearings, seemingly of two houses, of which the first is a shield, tincture gone, charged with a lion rampant or, langued and armed gules; the second, a shield, barry of twelve, gules and or, with a lion rampant, argent, langued and armed azure, in the dexter canton. There are three of each of these shields, and all six are worked on canvas, and afterwards sewed on. On the upright stem of the cross may be read in places the name of "Lodewich Fretie," the individual who bore those arms and gave the chasuble.
8361.
Dalmatic of blue silk damasked with gold; the pattern consists of alternate rows of oxen, and pelican-like birds amid flowers and foliage. North Italian, late 14th century. 7 feet 7-1/2 inches by 4 feet.
A rather showy piece, and very effective in its pattern, though the
gold about the thread with which the design is brought out is sparingly
employed, so that it looks more yellow than metallic. The sleeves now
but eleven inches long, are slit quite up, and were very likely shortened
when the slitting was inflicted on them, and that, within the last hundred
years, in compliance with the somewhat modern practice that took its
rise in France.
8388.
Piece of Embroidery of our Lord upon His mother's lap. Florentine, 15th century. 8-1/4 inches by 5-1/2 inches.
The Blessed Virgin Mary is robed in the usual crimson tunic, and
sky-blue flowing mantle, and bearing, as is customary in the Italian
schools of art, a golden star figured on her left shoulder. Sitting upon
a tasseled cushion, and holding a little bird in His left hand, we have
