Richard Hart

“ In cases of doubt, recollect that the Apostles, the most popular Saints in the Christian world, and in that particular country or neighbourhood, the patron Saint of the Church itself, or those whose reliques are known to have been deposited there in ancient times, are more likely to have been depicted than others. ”

“ An aged woman, wearing a mantle, a kerchief or veil, and wimple covering the chin, resembling the attire of a Nun. The reference to the day of the Saint's anniversary may be considered as an index not only to the various Breviaries, but to nearly all the collections of the lives of Saints that have been published. In every instance that occurs to my recollection, the legends are inserted according to the place which they occupy in the order of the year: so that the reader may refer to them without any difficulty, in case of his wishing to understand the rationale of any particular emblem. ”

“ The following abbreviations have been employed throughout, to which are here added the vestments belonging to each order, as a means of distinguishing from each other different Saints who had the same emblem.
A. Abbot or Abbess, commonly dressed like an ordinary monk or nun, (see C.) but with a crosier in the right hand and a book in the left. On seals (and perhaps sometimes in paintings) Abbots have a Mitre, Chasuble, Dalmatic, and other insignia of a Bishop. Ap. Apostle, usually without any tonsure, a long beard, a close tunic and mantle. At an early period the feet are usually bare. ”

“ CATALOGUE OF THE EMBLEMS OF SAINTS.
OF THE XII. ARTYCLES OF THE FAYTHE. Ca XV.
S. Peter. S. Andrew. S. James ye more. S. Johan. S. Thomas. S. Iames ye lesse.
S. Phylyppe. S. Barthylmew. S. Mathewe. S. Symon. S. Jude. S. Mathyas.
It is the object of the following catalogue to supply a clue to the practical antiquary in his interpretation of ancient art, where, but for this sacred heraldry, he must have worked in the dark. In the middle ages, pictures were the books of the unlearned; and those who were unable to read, could at once recognise a Saint by his appropriate emblem. ”

“ Ancient paintings in fresco, on panel, or glass, and manuscript illuminations, have of course an authority which cannot belong even to the earliest wood-cuts; as the artist had not the same temptation to generalise or repeat. Nevertheless, many of these early wood-cuts were unquestionably designed after more ancient models on panel, glass, &c., and where they can be identified by their circumstances are of very great value.
Almsgiving
Female employed in distributing alms St. Potentiana [1] , V. May 19
Altar
Martyrdom of a Pope at the Altar St. ”

“ The Magdalene generally bears her Box of Spikenard, which see, supra. ↑ See Hermit, supra. ↑ It is sometimes jagged like a saw. ↑ See Altar, supra. ↑ A Palm-branch, as the general emblem of martyrdom, is often found with other Saints. ↑ Dirty water thrown over him by his father's servants. ↑ She is often represented with a Monk standing before her. ”

“ A genealogical tree proceeding from the root of Jesse
(an old Man) , our Lord's ancestors being represented
in the branches.
Wheel of Fortune
a large wheel with a crowned female figure in centre,
some rising, others falling from it. ”

“ Triple Crown, triple Cross-staff, and Cope.
P. Priest. Vested in the mass-vestment, composed of the Chasuble, Maniple, Stole, Amess, Alb.
V. Virgin. Commonly as a young woman with flowing hair: sometimes as a Nun. ”