XX1l REPORT. 
liable to be upset. The foot was almost invariably of this shape in England, 
but not abroad :— 
The material of the paten usually corresponded to that of the chalice, 
though sometimes, as the less worthy, it was of inferior metal ; for we read of 
more than one chalice of gold that had its accompanying paten of silver. 
There were two kinds of paten—one very large, called the ‘‘ offertorium,” 
which answered to our alms-dish or basin; and the other much smaller, and 
belonging to the chalice. But at Easter and other large Communions, the 
offertorium was sometimes used in place of the smaller paten. 
Our English medieval patens are distinguished by a sunk sexfoil, the cusps of 
which are filled with a rayed ornament. The centre is occupied by the Ver- 
nicle, a favourite device—a hand in benediction—Our Lord in Majesty—the 
Agnus Dei—or by the sacred monogram. Raised monograms were not usual, 
though instances are found of jewelled patens in old inventories. 
The Shirley paten of this county, recently discovered through the issue of 
the Church Plate inquiry sheets of this Society, and hitherto unknown to any 
of the experts in old English plate, is a very good example of 15th century 
work. The date is 1493—4, according to Mr. W. H. St. John Hope, who first 
identified it as of medieval work. It is five inches in diameter, and weighs 
two ounces. In the centre is the Vernicle, or representation of the Holy Face 
as it is said to have appeared on the handkerchief of S$. Veronica, which 
shows great delicacy in the workmanship. In general character this 
paten much resembles the famous one at Nettlecombe, Somerset, the date of 
which is 1439. 
The paten of S. Peter’s, Derby, though modern, is a good copy of the 
early 16th century style, of which the one at Trinity College, Oxford, is a well- 
known instance. 
English Church Plate of medieval date is, as might be expected, of very 
