House and Garden 
purely inventive, the four-paneled decora¬ 
tion of the left side, where from a simple 
rude vase springs the strongly conventional¬ 
ized succession of Tudor roses, a mailed 
hand framed in shamrock and thistle, 
which picture in this primitive way the racial 
origin of the deceased. There is a variation 
of the same theme in the panels of the right 
THE FRONT OF THE CROSS 
side, where, centered in interlacing bands, 
are an Irish harp, eagle, and two bees, below 
all of which lurks a questioning sphinx. 
This reading of the significance of the 
sculpture is further explained by the inscrip¬ 
tions of the eight principal panels of the 
front and back. These are : 
First. On the front, beginning at the bot¬ 
tom, in the panel represent¬ 
ing the Herald of Death — 
“ Mors pax" (Death is 
peace). 
Second. On the panel 
representing the Stoical Dig¬ 
ger annoyed by a bird of 
prey — “ Vita labor" (Life 
is labor). 
Third. The Helmsman , 
steering his craft through the 
tumultuous seas—“ Vigi- 
late" (Watch.) 
Fourth. The Phoenix , 
arising, immortal from her 
ashes — “ Dis manibus" 
(Rich through or by the 
hands). 
On the back, in the lowest 
inscribed panel, Faith is 
represented by an ancient 
galley at sea, with the words: 
“Navis fortis" (Stout 
ship). 
“Altum mare" (I)eep 
sea). 
“ Hides fortiter it" (Faith 
rides staunchly). 
In the panel above, a 
winged Cantas , seated on 
Savagery (a lion) ministers 
to Wretchedness. Above 
this, again, a herculean fig¬ 
ure strangling a serpent 
represents Courage. The 
inscription here is “ Audax 
et Cantus " (Bold and wary). 
Lenitas (Gentleness) is the 
subject of the top panel on 
the back—a kneeling maid¬ 
en greeting a descending 
dove. The use of the 
squarely massed leaf but¬ 
tresses at the four corners 
of the base is an innovation 
Copyright, IQ04, Alex. Stirling Calder 
3°3 
