Letter 3651

[fol. 178] Honrd & dear Sr The inscription above was given me lately. it is out on the backside of a large silver plate of roman work in basso relievo, found by plowing in Risley park in Derbyshire June 6. 1729. the plate (they tell me) is an oblong Square 12 inches long, about 8 broad. tis high raisd thought to have been enameld, being now decayd by time, & rendred brittle as glass. it weighs 7 pound. the Sculptue or work on it represents a hunting, one man naked, another with a loose garment on. one has a sword, th’other a spear. two dogs siezing on a lyon lying under a tree. a lyoness at a distance running away. it was found standing on an edg, but two inches underground, & no doubt was deposited there in order to be taken away again by the same poison. it was within a mile of Fale abby. there is an imossd border runs round the outer edg chargd with variety of figures, sheep, goats, men, some on foot some mounted without bridle or saddle. I suppose thos are fauns, a temple, & many other grotesque figures. the outermost rim is set round with little knobs, somewhat bigger than peas. the inscriptions is set round the foot, at the bottom. I suppose like that of a salver. & probably in later times, that it might serve for administration of bread at the sacrament. for which purpose it was given tot he church (Bogiensi) It may originally have been a roman votive table. I know not the church nor the bishop. we have not books in the country to inform us of such things. next week I expect Mr Gale here, with whom I shall have the pleasure of drinking your health & our friends at the Greeks. I am Sr with hearty prayers for your health Your most obliged & obedient servant Wm. Stukeley Grantham 26 Aug. 1729.