T, 



he Early Gothic Frontal Table (Antemensale) from the 

 church of Kaupanger is one of the most mteresting frontals still 

 existing in Norway. It has been described and explained by Mr. 

 B. E. Bendixen in one of his archæological essays „Aus der 

 mittelalterlichen Sammlung des Museums in Bergen XXY. Die 

 Tafel aus der Kirche von Kaupanger — Bergens Museums Aar- 

 bog 1897 No. X" — to which description I may refer for particulars 

 concerning size and disposition of the scenes depicted. But, the 

 Frontal being greatly damaged, most of the scenes have been mis- 

 interpreted; later examinations have brought to light new features 

 in them. Having expressed the intention of publishing an essay 

 on this Frontal, I was informed by Mr. Bendixen that he had 

 himself intended to write a new essay on the subject, but that 

 pressing work prevented him, so that he kindly withdrew from the 

 field. For this I am under great obligation to him. 



The Frontal has several times been varnished over, so that 

 now the rosin has gathered in some places into lumps. The whole 

 is greatly blackened by dirt and dust, and the left side, especially 

 the lower part of it, is injured by wax drops from the candles on 

 the altar. The molten wax and the varnish having mingled with 

 each other, the wax cannot be removed without the paint and 

 gilding adhering. The ornaments on the frame, the borders of the 

 different compartments, the foliage, and the symbols of the Evan- 

 geUsts, are all dehneated with black lines on a gold ground. In 

 the same technique the figures are executed, with the exception of 

 certain details.^) The ground is overlaid with colour. In the centre 



^) The pillow on tlie throne in the centre panel is painted black. In 

 the Lipper panel on the right side, the shield which the king holds before 

 him is painted black with a red stripe. The warriors of the king's party have 

 a black or a ied cross on their shields as device, whereas their opponents 

 have. black devioes. In the midd le panel on the right side the bloody 



