DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6914#0214
1S2
architectural antiquities.
anllquariorum, or the puzzle of antiquaries," is of large dimensions, and adorned
with rude sculptural representations of some sacred legend. The era of its forma-
tion, and the meaning of its un-artist-like sculpture, have afforded themes for much
literary speculation, and are yet enveloped in doubt. The basin consists of a
square block of black marble, having each of its sides charged with sculptured
groups of figures, in low relief, and the angles, on the top, ornamented with
doves, cups, zigzag, &e. Mr. Gough thinks the sculptures are allusive to the
story of St. Birinus, but Dr. Milner (History of Winchester) contends that they
allude to, and are illustrative of some incidents in the life of "St. Nicholas,
Bishop of Myra, in Lycia, who flourished in the fourth century, and was
celebrated as the patron saint of children." At one end of the font is an ill
proportioned representation of a church. The age of this, and of the next
example, may be referred to the time of Bishop Walkelyn, soon after the Norman
Conquest. Two beautiful etchings of this font, and descriptions of the sculpture,
are given in " Cathedral Antiquities," Winchester.
East-Meon Font, Hampshire, seems evidently to be of the same age, and
even executed by the same hand, as that last described. The sculpture, however,
alludes to different subjects : as on one side of this, there are representations of
the creation of Eve, and the temptation of Adam in the garden of Eden, whilst
on another side is the expulsion of the first couple from paradise, or from a church,
or portal as here delineated. On the other sides are arcades of semicircular arches,
on single and doubled columns, beneath a frieze, of dragons, beasts, and
birds.44
The Font in the Church of St. Martin, Canterbury, is probably unique,
both in formation and adornment. It is composed of several pieces of hard lime
stone, squared at the ends, and worked with a rounded face, externally. As
shown in the etching, its whole surface is ornamented with representations of
semicircular, intersecting arches, and interlacing circles, or scrolls, commonly
called Danish knots.
4+ In Archseologia, vol. x. is an account of this font, by Mr. Gough, with engravings. A font in
Lincoln Cathedral, engraved in Simpson's " Baptismal Fonts," and another in the church of St.
Michael, at Southampton, engraved and described in Englefield's " Walk through Southampton," are
very similar in form and character to the two just noticed.
architectural antiquities.
anllquariorum, or the puzzle of antiquaries," is of large dimensions, and adorned
with rude sculptural representations of some sacred legend. The era of its forma-
tion, and the meaning of its un-artist-like sculpture, have afforded themes for much
literary speculation, and are yet enveloped in doubt. The basin consists of a
square block of black marble, having each of its sides charged with sculptured
groups of figures, in low relief, and the angles, on the top, ornamented with
doves, cups, zigzag, &e. Mr. Gough thinks the sculptures are allusive to the
story of St. Birinus, but Dr. Milner (History of Winchester) contends that they
allude to, and are illustrative of some incidents in the life of "St. Nicholas,
Bishop of Myra, in Lycia, who flourished in the fourth century, and was
celebrated as the patron saint of children." At one end of the font is an ill
proportioned representation of a church. The age of this, and of the next
example, may be referred to the time of Bishop Walkelyn, soon after the Norman
Conquest. Two beautiful etchings of this font, and descriptions of the sculpture,
are given in " Cathedral Antiquities," Winchester.
East-Meon Font, Hampshire, seems evidently to be of the same age, and
even executed by the same hand, as that last described. The sculpture, however,
alludes to different subjects : as on one side of this, there are representations of
the creation of Eve, and the temptation of Adam in the garden of Eden, whilst
on another side is the expulsion of the first couple from paradise, or from a church,
or portal as here delineated. On the other sides are arcades of semicircular arches,
on single and doubled columns, beneath a frieze, of dragons, beasts, and
birds.44
The Font in the Church of St. Martin, Canterbury, is probably unique,
both in formation and adornment. It is composed of several pieces of hard lime
stone, squared at the ends, and worked with a rounded face, externally. As
shown in the etching, its whole surface is ornamented with representations of
semicircular, intersecting arches, and interlacing circles, or scrolls, commonly
called Danish knots.
4+ In Archseologia, vol. x. is an account of this font, by Mr. Gough, with engravings. A font in
Lincoln Cathedral, engraved in Simpson's " Baptismal Fonts," and another in the church of St.
Michael, at Southampton, engraved and described in Englefield's " Walk through Southampton," are
very similar in form and character to the two just noticed.