141 



I5ra>en ^lms=lts]^, ^ttrrsUjtn. 



By G. Le Blanc Smith. 



IDESWELL CHURCH, which has obtained the title 

 of " The Cathedral of the Peak," contains somewhat 

 of a curiosity in the form of an alms-dish, richly 

 embossed, with a rejaresentation of Adam and Eve 

 in the centre. It is rather larger than most dishes, being no 

 less than 2oi in. in diameter. As regards its date, it is unsafe 

 to hazard any conjectures, for there is really nothing to guide 

 one. The ornament consists of two rows of a very handsome 

 design — best explained by reference to the photograph — 

 evidently intended tO' represent a jewelled border, which 

 surround the raised edge of the dish. The centre is raised, and 

 in the hollow left between the raised centre and edge of the 

 dish is an inscription. This inscription clearly shows the 

 country which gave it birth to be Holland, for the inscription 

 is in Dutch, and reads : " NYT SONDER GODT YS VAN 

 ALLEN SCHRYFTHREN HET SLODT," which, Anglicised, 

 reads : " The key to all the Scriptures is, there is nothing 

 without God." 



The central raised portion contains the picture of the Fall. 

 Here we see Adam and Eve, on the left and right-hand sides 

 of the tree respectively. In the centre is the Tree of Know- 

 ledge, round which is wound the serpent ; in his mouth he 

 holds a branch, on the end of which is the Apple of Eden. To 

 make his meaning quite clear, the craftsman who executed this 

 piece of metal work has shown a whole series of events in one 

 picture. Firstly, the Serpent plucks the Fruit; secondly, Eve 



