79 



®\x an &laf> aster Sculpture, 



THE PROPERTY OF REV. B. W. SPILSBURY, OF FINDERN. 



By Rev. J. Charles Cox, LL.D. 



NE of the features of the temporary museum, formed 

 at the Free Library, Derby, during the visit of the 

 Royal Archaeological Institute, in August, 1885, 

 which attracted much attention, was a small alabaster carving, 

 contributed by the Vicar of Findern. A distinguished scholar 

 of the Institute was good enough to promise our local society a 

 paper on this relic, a subject upon which he was peculiarly fitted 

 to treat ; but unfortunately, after the coloured plate had been 

 prepared, serious illness prevented the carrying out of his 

 intentions. It has, therefore, devolved upon the editor to write 

 a brief monograph on this subject, and to bring into comparison 

 all known instances of a like character of which any information 

 could be obtained. 



It is, however, more than possible that there may be yet other 

 sculptures of a like character in England, for the list here given 

 includes three that have not hitherto been noted. 



As to the past history of this sculpture, Mr. Spilsbury tells us 

 that it was purchased by his great-grandfather at the sale of Sir 

 Ashton Lever's museum ; but of its previous position there is not 

 even a tradition. 



The size of the carving is 8| inches by 7 inches, and about 

 iij thick. Mr, Bailey's most careful and accurately coloured 

 drawing (Plate I.) almost precludes the necessity of detailed 



