12 THE STONE HOUSE PREBEND, LITTLE CHESTER, DERBY. 



old silver common seal ; and one seen in old books of maps, 

 and in old representations of county arms. This latter is 

 represented as argent, a buck on speed, over five mole hills, on 

 each side a branch of laurel, all proper. This is of the time of 



ARMS OF THE BOROUGH OF DERBY.— STONE HOUSE PREBEND. 



George III. (1746). The silver seal, however, has more the 

 appearance of a fourteenth or fifteenth century seal, but we have 

 no means of ascertaining its precise date. 



About the panelling there is nothing uncommon ; but the 

 chimney-piece is a very excellently designed and well-proportioned 

 work ; of course it has been a good deal broken, and some portions 

 are gone, still a very good idea can be formed of its original appear- 

 ance. There is much nice work in it, the four arched panels be- 

 tween the pilasters are carved, but the plants in the vases and the two 

 porticoes in the centre are inlaid tarsia work, the woods used are 

 black and white, the designs are good, and in their original clean 

 state must have looked very handsome ; they are unfortunately so 

 dirty now that it is difficult to see them ; the four corner squares 

 in the centre panel are of similar work, as is also the flat piece 

 under the mantel, the latter, however, is carved. Unfortunately, 



