DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6910#0026
DUNSTAPLE PRIORY CHURCH.
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which supported five semi-circular sculptured mouldings. The outermost was zigzag,
.the second had angels and foliage, in alternate ovals, (Plate III. B); the third was
similarly divided, with some sculptured figures and foliage entwined in a waving
tendril, (Plate III. D); the fourth was also ornamented with basso relievos, &c.
among which were some of the signs of the zodiac ; * and the fifth, or inner mould-
ing, was cut in high alto-relievo, with flowers, &c. Most of these ornaments have
been much dilapidated, and some are entirely destroyed. The capitals are all dis-
similar, and some are charged with curious basso relievo figures. (See Plate III.
C. E. F. G). An archivolt moulding from this door diverges (Plate III. A.) into
half of a pointed arch, below which are intersecting arches and mutilated columns
" of the same taste." The other half of the arch is entirely in the pointed style, as
is the adjoining doorway with its proper dressings, although some Saxon ornaments are
introduced into the architraves. The partial inlaying of the surrounding ground, with
small flowered compartments, f like the opposing features on each side of the above-
mentioned pointed arch, is certainly very unaccountable. The columns, arches,
pedestals for statues, mouldings, and ornaments composing the decorations of the
buttresses, recesses, and gallery, are of the earliest workmanship of the pointed
style, as are the ornaments at the base of the belfry tower ; which tower, in its
design, (with the battlements on the body of the church,) and the variegated masonry
thereon, indicate the order of architecture peculiar to the 16th century: the door-
way within the grand Saxon arch is confessedly so, while the three niches above it
shew an anterior date. Yet more, the centre of the arch of this doorway is rounded
off, and worked in as a key-stone; which object was unknown before the introduction
of Roman architecture a second time into this kingdom, as, prior to that period, all
our pointed arches were jointed in the centre. Hence, by this diminutive key-
stone, as well as the majestic Saxon arch, we beheld in this front (coming down from
the latter attraction) an architectural table of time, for more than six centuries." J
In Plate II. the whole of this front is represented, with its plan, shewing the
projection of the buttresses, &c.
* Sculptured representations of the signs of the zodiac are to be found, among other examples, in the doorway
to St. Margaret's Church, at York; and to the western great door at Malmsbury Abbey Church, in Wiltshire.
t As a similar kind of ornament appears on the exterior of Waltham Cross, the workmanship of Edward the
First's reign, we are entitled to conclude that both are of the same age ; besides, in the Chronicle already quoted,
it appears that this door was repaired in 1273.
t Carter's Ancient Architecture, i. p. 35.
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which supported five semi-circular sculptured mouldings. The outermost was zigzag,
.the second had angels and foliage, in alternate ovals, (Plate III. B); the third was
similarly divided, with some sculptured figures and foliage entwined in a waving
tendril, (Plate III. D); the fourth was also ornamented with basso relievos, &c.
among which were some of the signs of the zodiac ; * and the fifth, or inner mould-
ing, was cut in high alto-relievo, with flowers, &c. Most of these ornaments have
been much dilapidated, and some are entirely destroyed. The capitals are all dis-
similar, and some are charged with curious basso relievo figures. (See Plate III.
C. E. F. G). An archivolt moulding from this door diverges (Plate III. A.) into
half of a pointed arch, below which are intersecting arches and mutilated columns
" of the same taste." The other half of the arch is entirely in the pointed style, as
is the adjoining doorway with its proper dressings, although some Saxon ornaments are
introduced into the architraves. The partial inlaying of the surrounding ground, with
small flowered compartments, f like the opposing features on each side of the above-
mentioned pointed arch, is certainly very unaccountable. The columns, arches,
pedestals for statues, mouldings, and ornaments composing the decorations of the
buttresses, recesses, and gallery, are of the earliest workmanship of the pointed
style, as are the ornaments at the base of the belfry tower ; which tower, in its
design, (with the battlements on the body of the church,) and the variegated masonry
thereon, indicate the order of architecture peculiar to the 16th century: the door-
way within the grand Saxon arch is confessedly so, while the three niches above it
shew an anterior date. Yet more, the centre of the arch of this doorway is rounded
off, and worked in as a key-stone; which object was unknown before the introduction
of Roman architecture a second time into this kingdom, as, prior to that period, all
our pointed arches were jointed in the centre. Hence, by this diminutive key-
stone, as well as the majestic Saxon arch, we beheld in this front (coming down from
the latter attraction) an architectural table of time, for more than six centuries." J
In Plate II. the whole of this front is represented, with its plan, shewing the
projection of the buttresses, &c.
* Sculptured representations of the signs of the zodiac are to be found, among other examples, in the doorway
to St. Margaret's Church, at York; and to the western great door at Malmsbury Abbey Church, in Wiltshire.
t As a similar kind of ornament appears on the exterior of Waltham Cross, the workmanship of Edward the
First's reign, we are entitled to conclude that both are of the same age ; besides, in the Chronicle already quoted,
it appears that this door was repaired in 1273.
t Carter's Ancient Architecture, i. p. 35.