DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6914#0072
40
ARCHITECTURAL ANTIQUITIES.
was the work of one period ; and this conclusion is said to be confirmed by the
discovery of the original drawings among the archives at Pisa, in which all the
pinnacles and work belonging to the Pointed style are displayed ; and these same
drawings are inferred to be those used by the workmen under the architect,
Dioti Salvi. If there are signatures and dates on these drawings that prove them
to be the original designs, how is it possible to account for various inscriptions
and armorial bearings, within and without the Baptistery, that inform us the
work was carried up at three distinct periods, at least, I am not aware that these
inscriptions have ever been noticed, and probably they have escaped the obser-
vation of all those who have contended against the correct opinion formed by
Sir H. Englefield.
" The better to understand how these inscriptions apply, it will be proper to
describe the Baptistery as it now remains. It is a circular building about one
hundred feet in diameter, covered with a double brick dome, the inner one conical,
and the outer hemispherical. An aile is formed round the interior, by eight
granite columns and four piers, from which spring semicircular arches that support
a gallery. Above this are twelve piers, on which rest the semicircular arches that
sustain the conical dome. Within the outer wall are contrived two staircases that
lead to the various galleries, &c. within and without this building.
" On the ground plan are four entrances, and between each two are five
columns, making a total of twenty, that surround the lower story on the outside.
The romanesque capitals of these columns support semicircular arches decorated
with leaves, &c. Above is a second story of sixty columns with semicircular
arches, in the same style, leaving a gallery behind them, which allows a complete
walk round the building. Over every two arches of this second story is placed a
sharp pediment, crocketed and surmounted with a half figure as a finial; these
pediments are perforated with a pointed arch, cusped, resting on slender pillars ;
between every two of which is a half figure, some in the act of prayer, &c.
Between these pediments are square, slender, lofty pinnacles, attached to the
building by thin pieces of marble let into the walls. Over these is a row of
windows with semicircular heads, divided by a single small column, which sup-
ports a tracery head. Above these windows is another range of triangular
pediments and pinnacles, moulded in the same manner as those below. Above
these springs the outer dome, having twelve ribs, at equal distances, crocketed.
Between every two is a window that lights the space between the two domes ;
ARCHITECTURAL ANTIQUITIES.
was the work of one period ; and this conclusion is said to be confirmed by the
discovery of the original drawings among the archives at Pisa, in which all the
pinnacles and work belonging to the Pointed style are displayed ; and these same
drawings are inferred to be those used by the workmen under the architect,
Dioti Salvi. If there are signatures and dates on these drawings that prove them
to be the original designs, how is it possible to account for various inscriptions
and armorial bearings, within and without the Baptistery, that inform us the
work was carried up at three distinct periods, at least, I am not aware that these
inscriptions have ever been noticed, and probably they have escaped the obser-
vation of all those who have contended against the correct opinion formed by
Sir H. Englefield.
" The better to understand how these inscriptions apply, it will be proper to
describe the Baptistery as it now remains. It is a circular building about one
hundred feet in diameter, covered with a double brick dome, the inner one conical,
and the outer hemispherical. An aile is formed round the interior, by eight
granite columns and four piers, from which spring semicircular arches that support
a gallery. Above this are twelve piers, on which rest the semicircular arches that
sustain the conical dome. Within the outer wall are contrived two staircases that
lead to the various galleries, &c. within and without this building.
" On the ground plan are four entrances, and between each two are five
columns, making a total of twenty, that surround the lower story on the outside.
The romanesque capitals of these columns support semicircular arches decorated
with leaves, &c. Above is a second story of sixty columns with semicircular
arches, in the same style, leaving a gallery behind them, which allows a complete
walk round the building. Over every two arches of this second story is placed a
sharp pediment, crocketed and surmounted with a half figure as a finial; these
pediments are perforated with a pointed arch, cusped, resting on slender pillars ;
between every two of which is a half figure, some in the act of prayer, &c.
Between these pediments are square, slender, lofty pinnacles, attached to the
building by thin pieces of marble let into the walls. Over these is a row of
windows with semicircular heads, divided by a single small column, which sup-
ports a tracery head. Above these windows is another range of triangular
pediments and pinnacles, moulded in the same manner as those below. Above
these springs the outer dome, having twelve ribs, at equal distances, crocketed.
Between every two is a window that lights the space between the two domes ;