CAELATVRA—MEDIAEVAL PLATE. 165
serpent's
tongues, and between the tongues, at the end of other branches, be
stones of divers colours ; also there be dispersed about the said tree
several stones hanging from little chains of silver and gold ; and in
the middle of the said tree is a great white cameo, and around
this are iv other stones, to wit, ii garnets and ii green stones ; and
in the stem of the tree is a boss* engraved with leaves raised, and
about the said boss be vi little enamels in blue, with a fleur-de-lys
in gold ; and inside the said stem, within, is a square basin, having
underneath a square boss with iv enamels of birds in blue ; the foot is
a square entablature with ir enamels set therein, in which be ii
serpents folded, and ii birds : towards the bottom it is moulded and
fluted, and rests upon iv lion's paws. Weight of the whole ν m. iii oz.
(43 oz.).
"
89. A Fountain, of which the foot rests on iv gilt paws, and underneath
is a terrace in green, a little crossed (hatched), of which the enamel
is green, and the fishes violet and yellow. And in the middle of the
same terrace is a tree from whence issues a serpent winged, and in the
top of the head of the same is a pipe, and a tap out of which the water
issues. And at one of the ends of the said terrace is a little tree,
whereon sits one ape clad in a coat and surcoat, very wide, and hath a
hood upon his head whereof the fur is violet, bedropped with drops of
white, and the top of azure with white and red drops, with a pearl on
the end; and the said ape holds in his left hand a fishing-basket, and
in his right a fishing-line, wherewith he hath caught a barbel. And at
the other end of the same terrace is another ape dressed and hooded the
same as the first. And he holds in his right hand the tall pipe of the
fountain, and drinks at it. And the
* This pommel is the boss which usually surrounds the middle of the stem of a mediœval cup.
