DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6910#0170
MALMSBUBY ABBEY CHURCH.
10/
Plate VI. consists of some details, or enlarged representations of parts of the
building. A. 1 and 2, are views of two patents, or sculptured stones, formerly
used as ornaments to particular portions of this structure. Several of these are
inserted in the walls on the south and north fronts, near the upper tier of windows
towards the transept: many others are built up in a wall belonging to the Abbey
House. 3. The billeted moulding at the centre of the pointed arch of the nave,
with the grotesque animal's head enlarged. (See also Plate X.) Figures 4 : 4 :
represent a front and profile view of a head, which terminates the archivolt mould-
ings of the pointed arches on each side the nave, also round the exterior of the
great porch. These heads vary in figure and character : some resembling that of
a dog, others a snake, and some a sort of dragon, or creature of imagination. The
sculpture is bold and expressive.
In Plates VII. and IX. the exterior and interior doorways of the southern porch
are represented, with their elaborately ornamental sculpture : the first displays the
eight enriched mouldings, which extend all round the arch, from base to base, and
adorn the exterior porch.* Five of these are decorated with running trellis work,
and interlacing diagonal strings, and the other three are covered with a profusion of
sculptured figures in basso-relievo, enclosed within oval bands. The figures appear
to represent various passages from the Old and New Testament: and though many
of them are very distorted, and ill designed, yet, as specimens of the art of that age,
they are extremely curious. The other door-way, Plate IX. without columns, is
also decorated with sculptures : beneath the arch is an impost charged with a basso-
relievo, which appears to represent the personified Deity supported by two angels:
on the right hand is a large piscina, let into the wall. Each side of the porch is
decorated with an arcade, over which are twelve large figures in bold relief, six on
each side, supposed to be intended for the apostles, with two figures of Time flying
over their heads.
Plate VIII. is introduced to shew the situation of the Church and Abbey House,
with the northern side of the nave, &c. of the former. From this point of view, the
nave, with the lofty open arch, appears particularly bold and grand. Seated on the
brow of a hill, which slopes rapidly to the north and to the south-west, where two
rivulets wind through narrow irriguous vallies, and nearly encompass the town, this
* In Hearne and Byrne's Antiquities, and in the Gentleman's Magazine, July 1802, by Mr. Carter, these
mouldings are described as "columns," though there is neither shaft nor capital.
10/
Plate VI. consists of some details, or enlarged representations of parts of the
building. A. 1 and 2, are views of two patents, or sculptured stones, formerly
used as ornaments to particular portions of this structure. Several of these are
inserted in the walls on the south and north fronts, near the upper tier of windows
towards the transept: many others are built up in a wall belonging to the Abbey
House. 3. The billeted moulding at the centre of the pointed arch of the nave,
with the grotesque animal's head enlarged. (See also Plate X.) Figures 4 : 4 :
represent a front and profile view of a head, which terminates the archivolt mould-
ings of the pointed arches on each side the nave, also round the exterior of the
great porch. These heads vary in figure and character : some resembling that of
a dog, others a snake, and some a sort of dragon, or creature of imagination. The
sculpture is bold and expressive.
In Plates VII. and IX. the exterior and interior doorways of the southern porch
are represented, with their elaborately ornamental sculpture : the first displays the
eight enriched mouldings, which extend all round the arch, from base to base, and
adorn the exterior porch.* Five of these are decorated with running trellis work,
and interlacing diagonal strings, and the other three are covered with a profusion of
sculptured figures in basso-relievo, enclosed within oval bands. The figures appear
to represent various passages from the Old and New Testament: and though many
of them are very distorted, and ill designed, yet, as specimens of the art of that age,
they are extremely curious. The other door-way, Plate IX. without columns, is
also decorated with sculptures : beneath the arch is an impost charged with a basso-
relievo, which appears to represent the personified Deity supported by two angels:
on the right hand is a large piscina, let into the wall. Each side of the porch is
decorated with an arcade, over which are twelve large figures in bold relief, six on
each side, supposed to be intended for the apostles, with two figures of Time flying
over their heads.
Plate VIII. is introduced to shew the situation of the Church and Abbey House,
with the northern side of the nave, &c. of the former. From this point of view, the
nave, with the lofty open arch, appears particularly bold and grand. Seated on the
brow of a hill, which slopes rapidly to the north and to the south-west, where two
rivulets wind through narrow irriguous vallies, and nearly encompass the town, this
* In Hearne and Byrne's Antiquities, and in the Gentleman's Magazine, July 1802, by Mr. Carter, these
mouldings are described as "columns," though there is neither shaft nor capital.