_Ancient Alms-Dishes_.--I have one of these dishes; diameter 1 foot
4-3/4 inches, and its height 1-1/2 inch. The centre is plain, without
any device, and separated from the circle of inscription by a bold
embossed pattern.
The inscription is _Der infrid gehwart_, in raised (not engraved)
capital letters, 1 inch long, repeated three times in the circle. Mine
is a handsome dish of mixed metal; yielding, when struck, a fine sound
like that of a gong. It has devices of leaves, &c. engraved on the broad
margin, but no date.
I have seen another such dish, in the collection of the late William
Hooper, Esq., of Ross, part of which (and I think the whole of the under
side) had been enamelled, as part of the enamel still adhered to it. In
the centre was engraved the temptation in Eden; but it was without
legend or date.