F 12. 12 in. (4.)

Two squares; upper divided by bend sinister, with floriated ornaments; lower contains full flower.

G 1. 16 in. (1, 6.)

Massive leaves.

G 2. 17 in. (1, 3, 4.)

Interlacing stalks, not symmetrical.

G 3. 163 in. (1, 3.)

Scroll, with flower-like ornaments; in the upper left angle a small face upturned, with wing-like ornaments on either side.

G 4. 16 in. (No stamp-mark.)

Interlacing bands or stalks, not symmetrical.

G 5. 163 in. (1,3.)

A large bearded head in profile, facing left, situated in the concavity of an arabesque ornament, and terminating in a scroll-like decoration. It bears some resemblance to, and has been called, the decorated head of an Indian.

G 6. 17 in. (1, 4.)

Long bend sinister dividing floriated ornaments.

G 7. 163 in. (4, 6.)

A large shield of oblique form, containing the arms of the St. Clere family, with various quarterings (of the Courtenay, Chiverton, and Yarty families). At base, a contorted, scroll-like ornament. Above it is a halflength figure, with face in profile to the right; head covered with a close-fitting cap, with a protecting knob behind. Habit rather loose, folded across the breast, and with a deeply cut scalloped border. Upper part of sleeve puffed, rest closely-fitting, with turned-up cuff.

G 8. 17 in. (1, 4.)

General design and treatment similar to B 4.

G 9. 16 in. (1, 4, 6.)

Upright fish-like figure, terminating below in an ordinary fish tail; above in the head of an animal with mouth open, showing large tongue.

attached to lower part of body.

Scroll-like ornaments

G 10. 16 in. (4.)

Oblique shield, with arms of St. Clere family, and quarterings similar to G 7, but on a somewhat larger scale. Above it a half-length figure, with face in profile, turned to the left. No covering on head, which displays the hair. Wears a moustache with curled ends. Loose habit, with scalloped collar. Right arm above shown, and in a very ungainly position. Upper part of sleeve rather puffed, and of trumpet shape; the rest of it moderately loose with turned-up cuff.

G 11. 15 in. (4, 5, 6.) Vide plate 2.

In the upper part a ship is represented riding on the water. Both the stem and the stern are raised considerably above the rest of the structure; the former projects very much, and the latter has a straight, square rudder. There are three masts; two of them are bare, and display but little rigging, excepting the rope ladders. Up the foremast a sail is being raised, apparently by a sailor placed immediately above it. The figure of another is engaged in the rigging of the next (middle) mast. A portion of a castle (the barbican ?) is shown in the upper right-hand angle. Below the ship is a boat (the main lines of construction of both are exhibited), and to this an anchor is attached, having a short shank and large flukes. The lower third of the panel has a square decoration formed of contorted leaves. The carving in all its parts is a remarkably bold and effective one. The general form and character of the ship enable us to assign it to the early part of the 16th century. One similar to it is engraved on a seal belonging to Seaford, Sussex, "probably made in 1544, when a charter was granted by Henry VIII." 4

Mr. J. R. Planchè called attention to the number of municipal seals containing representations of castles, Exeter being one of the number; in that of Bristol both a castle and a ship are depicted.5

That the original occupier of the pew was a shipowner is probable enough, and it is not inconsistent to suggest, that the carving embodies both the representation of his calling and of the port (Exeter) to which he belonged.

Chichester vol. of Archaol. Institute (1856), plate facing p. 102.

5 "On the Municipal Seals, &c., of the City of Bristol," in Journal of Brit. Archæol. Assoc. xxxi. (1875) pp. 180-189, and plate 12. Cf. Archæologia, xxi. plate 8, facing p. 86.