Welsh Journals

Iltrctefltajjia Camirmii FIFTH SERIES.—VOL. VIII, NO. XXXI. JULY 1891. NOTICE OF A MEDIEVAL THURIBLE FOUND AT PENMAEN, IN GOWER. BY J. ROMILLY ALLEN, ESQ., F.S.A.SCOT. The thurible here illustrated was exhibited at the Temporary Museum formed during the Meeting of the Cambrian Archaeological Association at Carmarthen in 1875.1 This interesting object was dug up at Penmaen Church, and is now preserved in the Swansea Museum. I am indebted to the Rev. J. D. Davies for the loan of the accompanying woodcut, which is borrowed from his History of West Goirer. The thurible consists of two parts. The upper one has been broken ; but enough remains to restore the whole, as shown on the second illustration. The total height of the thurible is 6^ in., and the greatest diameter 3| in. The height of the lower part is 2 in. Both the top and bottom parts have three loops pro¬ jecting from the outside, at equal distances apart. Through these were passed the chains by which the censer was swung. Each loop is half an inch in dia¬ meter, and is fastened to the side of the vessel with two rivets. The lower part, or pan, in which the in¬ cense was burnt is a round bowl with a flat foot to rest upon when not in use. It is ornamented on the out¬ side, round the top rim, with an undulating line 1 See Arch. Gamb.t 4th Ser., vol. vi. 5th ser., vol. viii. 11