The Digital Ark: Early Modern Collections of Curiosities in England and Scotland, 1580-1700

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George (Saint), Saint ( - c. 303)

patron saint of England Dictionary of National Biography entry: http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/60304 Linked print sources: as Mentions or references - London in 1710, from the Travels of Zacharias Conrad von Uffenbach .
 References in Documents:
Consolidated catalogue of 1695: The Book of the Junior Proctor (MacGregor, ed.) 6 Lapis cruce Georgianâ naturaliter impressus. Stone naturally impressed with a St George's cross.
MS Book of the dean of Christ Church (MacGregor, ed.) 509 Cerasi ossiculum in cujus uno latere, Sanctus Georgius cum Dracone, in alio 88 Imperatorũfacies, arte thaumaturgicâ, cælati. 460 Cherry-stone with St George and the dragon carved with wonderful skill on one side, and the faces of eighty-eight emperors on the other. MacGregor 1983, no. 439i.
A Catalogue of the Benefactors to the Anatomy Schoole in Oxon. (Rawlinson Q.e. 36) Nov. 10. 1712. Robertus Bailly, Scoto-Brittanus pro benevolentia sua d. dedit Iconem perelegantem Serenissimi illius Principis, quem vulgo vocant Chevalier de St. George.
[Excerpts from Zacharias Uffenbach's diary of his visit to Oxford in 1710 in the company of his brother Johann Friedrich Uffenbach] Furthermore the Knight St. George and the Dragon, well cut in amber.
Grew, Musaeum Regalis (1685)

CATOPTRICK PAINT, on a Table or Board. Given by Bishop Wilkins. On one side, the Paint looks as if it were altogether rude and irregular, so as nothing can be made of it. But a Metalline Cylinder being placed perpendicular upon a certain Point of the Table; the Rays are in such sort incident thereon, and thence reflected to the Eye, as to represent a variety of curious Work: sc. a Shepherd playing on a Pipe; and his Wife dancing with a Child in her Arms, and a Basket on her Head.

On the other side, St. George and Don Quicksot both on Horse-back, and a Wind-Mill betwixt them. And Don having made his Horse leap at the Sail, his Horse hangs upon it, and himself is thrown to the ground. But a Metalline Octogon, placed as the Cylinder, shews St. George in good posture upon Don's Horse, killing the Dragon.

Grew, Musaeum Regalis (1685)

One of them, is a curious piece of Work. On the top of a Rock, stands a Castle. At the foot, a George or Chevaleer, armed and mounted, and combating a Dragon; defending her self, and shewing her rage in a most lively posture. Behind the Horse stands one of her young Ones, expecting her Conquest. On the brow of the Rock, a Woman, or if you will the Lady, praying for her overthrow. Hereto may be refer'd,

Thoresby, Musaeum Thoresbyanum (1713)

Esca Virginiana, or Tinder from Virginia. The Gift of Dr. John Sharp. A Box and a Stopper of the Royal Oak. Don. Rev. Geo. Plaxton. One of Box Wood curiously turned, by Parson Gale. Another with Hour-Glass and Bones, above a Death's Head, with Worms crawling upon that Side of the Face, which hath Flesh upon it not quite consumed. Don. Jac. Mickleton Arm. One of Glass with Silver enclosed in it. Don. D. Jo. Plaxton. St. George and the Dragon, well performed in Silver. Another in Brass somewhat different. And one with four Heads, viz. the Pope and the Devil one, and Cardinal with Fool on the other Side. Irish Snuff-Boxes made in the Form of Brogues and Shoes, from two to six Inches long. Don. D. Marshal. An antique Ladle for a Punch Bowl, of Horn. Don. D. Fr. Place.

Thoresby, Musaeum Thoresbyanum (1713)

Copper-Plates. The noted Gate-House at Wærton, engraved by Hollar, and inserted in Thoroton's Hist. of Nottinghamshire (pag. 98.) Don. D. Jo. Boulter Arm. Lambeth-House or Pallace, etched by Mr. Will Lodge of Leedes. Also some Italian Ruins, with a distant Prospect of Rome, by the same ingenious Gent. St. George and Dragon, and other two of uncertain Hands. The Picture of Mr. Henry Gyles, the famous Glass-Painter at Yorke, wrought in Mezzo-Tinto, by the celebrated Mr. Fran. Place, when that Art was known to few others. Bought, with other Curiosities, of Mr. Gyles's Executors. Ticho Brahe's System very well engraved upon Wood for the Printing-Press. A Dye from the Mint for coining Brass-Pennies, when private Tradesman had Liberty of inserting their Names and Device (this is Beware of the Beare 1670, round that Animal) upon their currant Monies. Don. D. Jac. Dawson. One Stamp inscribed, White Clothiers Seale. Another Faulty to mark the Delinquents.

Musaeum Tradescantianum (1656) A Cherry-stone, upon one side S. Geo: and the Dragon, perfectly cut: and on the other side 88 Emperours faces.
Peter Mundy's description of the Tradescants' Ark in his travel diary (1634) [4] In a catalogue of the Tradescant collection, published in 1656, these objects are thus described: "Mechanick artificiall Works in Carvings . . . A Cherry-stone, upon on side S. George and the Dragon, perfectly cut: and on the other side 88 Emperours faces . . . Variety of Rarities. Severall sorts of Magnifying glasses: Triangular, Prismes, Cynlinders." Under "Medalls" are enumerated Gold (5), Silver (55), Copper and Lead (52). Musæum Tradescantium; or A Collection of Rarities Preserved at South Lambeth neer London. By J. T. [John Tradescant junior], London, 1656. It is doubtful whether the carved cherry-stone seen by Mundy at Lambeth was sent to Oxford with the rest of the "rarities" handed over to Elias Ashmole by Tradescant’s widow. It is not in existence now, but among the Tradescant specimens at the Ashmolean Museum are six plum or "apricock" stones carved in the same manner with minute figures. A drawing of the cherry-stone is, however, preserved. Mr D. G. Hogarth, Keeper of the Ashmolean Museum, to whom I am indebted for the above information, tells me that under a pencil drawing of the stone in an Ashmole MS at the Bodleian Library (1131-183) is a note in 17th century handwriting (? Ashmole’s) as follows: "The draught of a cherry-stone whereon St George on ye one side and divers heads on the other by Capt. Burgh and given by him to Mr John Tradescant who preserved it amongst the rarities." The drawing shows the two faces of the stone enlarged some 3 diameters, with a sketch of the stone natural size beside. About 80 heads are arranged concentrically on one side. Mr Hogarth is of opinion that the note under the drawing leaves the question open as to whether the stone itself was ever in Tradescant’s hands or only Captain Burgh’s drawing of it. But, judging from Mundy's usual accuracy of statement, I feel convinced that the cherry-stone was among the "rarities" that he actually saw. The particular magnifying glass described by Mundy cannot be traced in the Ashmolean Museum.
London in 1710, from the travels of Zacharias Conrad von Uffenbach Above stands the knight St. George in silver-gilt of the most excellent workmanship. We were told that it was presented to King William by the Frenchman who made it, and that the latter received a hundred guineas for it.