The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-02-28

England Trying to buy Back a Royal
Treasure.

England Trying to buy Back Royal
Treasure.
1t is not often that nation, after the lapse
Of nearly three centuries, has the opportunity
of buying back some Of the treasures of its
royal house. Nine years ago Spaniard APP
peared in Paris, Offering for sale an enameled
gold cup and cover of such remarkable bril-
liancy and perfection of workmanship that
many of the experts who saw 1t declared II
TO be modern. After many frultless inter
views the man by a chance VISITED baron
Jerome Pichon, well-known collector or
choice works Of art. Even he at nrst telt
some timidity in the matter. but by copying
an Inscription on the foot of the cup his great
knowledge of books led him into the right
track. and acting with needtul prOmpttude.
he bought the cup. The inscription IN ques-
ton is in Latin and to the following effect:
The Constable John elascO, returning from
ENGLAND bv the favor of the English King.
Gives to Christ the Peacemaker a cup OF SOLID
gold. a memorial of the peace made between
the monarchs, and q relic Of the sacred
treasure of England II the course OF the
Investigation the Baron entered into rela-
tons with the descendant of the Constable
NelascO. but the resulting production OF dOcu-
ments c0nclusiyely proved that the cup was
| the identical one given by James l. 10 the
constable Of CASTLE, who in turn presented
| il in 1910 tOa convent near BurgOs, and re-
corded his pious act ID the inscription above
I mentioned.
The search for mention Of the cup before
! James Is time had now to be prosecuted il
/ the English royal inventories and this met
with signal success. for 1t was found 10 occu-
| twice in the inventories of Queen Elizabeth,
J and no less than three times in those OF Henry
! VIII. 1t is also probably the cup described in
| document of Henry Wis time, though with
some differences IN weight and description
/ that can easily be accounted for. The
cup and cover, in their present condition,
weigh close upon sixty eight ounces OF hne
! gold: the cover IS domed, and comp sed OF
two plates, Of which the upper one IS richly
enamelled with five scenes from the life or
! ST. Agnes. The final ornament and coro-
net Of leaves and pearls are now wanting
and fully account for the difference be-
tween its present weight and the
seventy ounces given as the weight
in the treasurers accounts OF James l.
Within the cover and IN the centre OF the
bowl are two medalliOns also in enamel. Inc
outside of the somewhat shallow bowl Is
enamelled with g continuation of the history
of the Saints Having due regard 70 the
several transformations IL has undergone. IL Is
by no means improbable that this may be the
| famous gold hanap. "esnlallle de Ia We de
Sainte Agnes which appears III the lnven-
| tory of Charles v of France. who dled IN l3oU;
The appearance Of the cup IS 30 1resh ana
| the cOlOring 50 unusually brilliant that IL Is
easy TO understand how any but the most e4-
| perenced would nave some dlstrust as 10 us
being an ancient WORK The gold back
] ground at the same time enhances 70 an
astonishing degree the splendOr OF all the
| c0lors. The method OF enamelling Is teen
| nlcally known as translucent on reheI, the
I designs being sunk IN the metal, and the de-
tails chlselled IN low relief at the level. The
cavities are then filled with the transparent
| enamels. the surfaces OF which are polished
level with the gold ground. and the design is
seen clearly through the richly tinted me-
| dunn The tiny faces of the actors in the
| dramatic legend OF 81. Agnes though barely
a quarter of an inch IN length are as full of
character and individuality as a medal of
| PisanO.
A scheme has been set on foot by Mr.. Drury
| Fortnum, gentleman whose munifcent gift
to the University of Oxford was recently re-
| corded. The cup has been purchased from
| Baron PichOn by Messrs. Wertheimer of
| BOND street. for the sum OF tS,000 and in
| their hands MIR. Fortnum was among the first
| 10 see IT, The obvious propriety of retain
ing it in England, and If possible in the
possession of the nation, suggested TO Mr..
| Fortnum the idea of buying 1t by subscrip-
! tion f0r the British Museum. Ihls was met
| by Messrs Wertheimer in the most liberal
spirit. and they generously offered. II the cuI
| we've boueht for the national collection. &c
| forego their profit on the purchase. and &c
cede the cup at the price they had paid Mr
| Fortnum at once offered $500 to head The
list. and the head of the firm, Mr. Sampson
Werthemer (who has since, like so many
others. fallen victim to the epidemic
promised the same amount Five other SUP
scribers Of $500 have come forward. ana tn'
treasury, realizing the importance Oh tn''
acquisition. has with commendabie pfolnPsi
tude promised grant in aid of $4,000. Their
remains. therefore, only f2.5OO that 49, III
contributions OF five more subscribers u
complete the list. Mr.. A. w. Franks. Z. -.
OF the British Museum. himself one OF tn
subscribers. has taken charge OF tho subscr'p
] tinn-