Shaw, Henry: The decorative arts, ecclesiastical and civil, of the Middle Ages (London, 1851)

CUP.

DESIGNED BY GEORGE WECHTER, 1628.

^ANY Cups are still in existence bearing the ge-
neral charasteriilics of the one here engraved ;
but few, we believe, exhibit the same bold and
pidturesque variety of graceful forms. The
outline is of the most iimple description — its
richness and beauty depending upon the skill
with which the various bands are interlaced,
-'l and made to combine with the figures, the
~A maiks, the groups of ssowers, and other details
usually found in ornamental works of the renaiisance period.

It is taken from a Book published in Paris under the Title of “ Or-
nements des Anciens Maitres des XV. XVI. XVII. et XVIII. Siècles.

Recueilles Par Ovide Reynard,” but as no text has yet been given we
are unable to state any particulars beyond the name of the Designer and
the date of its produdlion. The name of the Artist is new to us, and we
have not been able to find it in any of the works of reference we have con-
sulted. The date being given forms the most essential fait necessary to
corroborate the style of the period, and enable us to give it its pioper

place in our series.

The wood-cut on the following page is taken from a drawing kindly
lent us by Mr. Willement, whose numerous beautiful works in Stained
Glass are so well known. It represents the necklace worn by one of the
personages in a large pidture of the Lucy Family, painted in the time of
James the Firit, and still at their seat (so celebrated for its connexion with
Shakespeare), at Charlecote in Warwickshire. It is formed of gold,
jewels, and various coloured enamels. The ssowers are of gold, having
large pearls in their centres—in some initances surrounded by four smaller