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XLYIII. 



THE PATEN OF GOURDON, ILLUSTRATED FROM THE 

 BOOK OF ARMAGH. By The REV. T. OLDEN. 



[Read 10th February, 1896.] 



In the article on Patens, in Smith's "Dictionary of Christian Anti- 

 quities," several engravings are given of specimens preserved in 

 museums or elsewhere. Amongst these is one which is peculiar in 

 being of rectangular shape instead of the circular form with which we 

 are familiar. This was found at Gourdou in the South of France, and 

 the writer of the article although he includes it among the patens 

 does so with some hesitation as he entertains doubts as to whether it 

 really is one or not. 



The reasons for thinking it is a paten are that the centre is 

 occupied by a cross in slight relief, which would seem to be incon- 

 venient, if it were a vessel for domestic use, and further it was 

 found together with a chalice. 



On the other hand, it is replied that the argument from the 

 existence of the cross is of no weight as it is known that the early 

 Christians were in the habit of decorating their domestic utensils with 

 crosses and other religious symbols. But the chief argument relied on 

 for its secular character by Padre Garucci who is referred to as an 

 eminent authority, is that no instance is known of a paten of this 

 shape. 



No doubt, the ecclesiastical literature of England and the Con- 

 tinent may contain no notice of them ; but it is otherwise in Ireland, 

 for they are mentioned in the Tripartite life of St. Patrick and in the 

 Collections of Tirechan in the Book of AiTQagh. At p. 96 of the 

 Roll's edition of the Tripartite the following passage occurs : — 



" The holy bishop Assicus was Patrick's coppersmith, and he made 

 altars and quadrangular patens and quadrangular book-covers in 

 honour of Patrick." 



I have changed one word in this extract. It is the translation 



