DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6914#0219
malmesbury abbey church.
187
the intermediate spaces : a hood-moulding, or water-table, surrounds the arch, the
ends of which rise from corbel heads, the one of a bishop, the other of a king. On
the south-east side, at the junction of the chancel and transept, is a very singular
k'nd of two-fold Arch, the intention or use of which it is difficult to surmise. It is
Partly built in a recess within the wall, where the inner limb, rising from a square
pillar, uniting with a section of an outer semicircular arch, forms a pointed arch :
the mouldings of both arches are similar, and are composed of very boldly cut and
richly-complicated zigzag work. Various other parts of this edifice are deserving
°f attention, and the whole furnishes an interesting example of the gradual transition
hy which the Pointed style obtained its merited ascendency over the Anglo-Norman
Hl'chitecture.
Ma lmesbury Abbey Church, Wiltshire, Door-way to the Southern
^ORcii, and Elevation, with Details of one Division of the Nave._
The door-way represented in the annexed engraving, with the whole of the porch of
which, it forms a part, may be referred to and considered as constituting the finest
Piece of Norman architecture and design in England. 1 believe it is unparalleled
ln arrangement, in elaborate execution, and in the number and variety of its sculp-
tured ornaments. A large, receding arch-way, divided into eight mouldings, which
c°ntinue from the basement on each side, and are all covered with various sculp-
tured enrichments, forms this bold portal. The measurements are, opening of the
e^terior verge of the arch, nineteen feet by nineteen ; and the inner moulding, or
°Pening, twelve feet six inches high by seven feet four inches wide. The annexed
engraving serves to point out the variety of mouldings which extend round the arch,
as Well as the general patterns, or figures, which adorn each, respectively. Some
°f these patterns are of Grecian form, and the style of drapery and proportions of
soine of the fig ures are pleasing and good. They are intended to represent several
events in the sacred writings : a sort of hood-moulding terminated at each end with
a snake's head, extends round and over the exterior face of the arch. A mass of
Masonry, with bold buttresses at the two angles, has been added as a casing to the
0l%inal porch. Within this archway is a large open porch, or vestibule, having a
stone seat on each side, and is ornamented near the top on each side with a series
°f six large seated figures in half relief, over which is an horizontal figure, in the act
°f %ing. This porch has been vaulted, and had archivolt ribs extending from each
angle. XJie inner door-way, from the porch to the aisle of the church, is adorned
2 b 2
187
the intermediate spaces : a hood-moulding, or water-table, surrounds the arch, the
ends of which rise from corbel heads, the one of a bishop, the other of a king. On
the south-east side, at the junction of the chancel and transept, is a very singular
k'nd of two-fold Arch, the intention or use of which it is difficult to surmise. It is
Partly built in a recess within the wall, where the inner limb, rising from a square
pillar, uniting with a section of an outer semicircular arch, forms a pointed arch :
the mouldings of both arches are similar, and are composed of very boldly cut and
richly-complicated zigzag work. Various other parts of this edifice are deserving
°f attention, and the whole furnishes an interesting example of the gradual transition
hy which the Pointed style obtained its merited ascendency over the Anglo-Norman
Hl'chitecture.
Ma lmesbury Abbey Church, Wiltshire, Door-way to the Southern
^ORcii, and Elevation, with Details of one Division of the Nave._
The door-way represented in the annexed engraving, with the whole of the porch of
which, it forms a part, may be referred to and considered as constituting the finest
Piece of Norman architecture and design in England. 1 believe it is unparalleled
ln arrangement, in elaborate execution, and in the number and variety of its sculp-
tured ornaments. A large, receding arch-way, divided into eight mouldings, which
c°ntinue from the basement on each side, and are all covered with various sculp-
tured enrichments, forms this bold portal. The measurements are, opening of the
e^terior verge of the arch, nineteen feet by nineteen ; and the inner moulding, or
°Pening, twelve feet six inches high by seven feet four inches wide. The annexed
engraving serves to point out the variety of mouldings which extend round the arch,
as Well as the general patterns, or figures, which adorn each, respectively. Some
°f these patterns are of Grecian form, and the style of drapery and proportions of
soine of the fig ures are pleasing and good. They are intended to represent several
events in the sacred writings : a sort of hood-moulding terminated at each end with
a snake's head, extends round and over the exterior face of the arch. A mass of
Masonry, with bold buttresses at the two angles, has been added as a casing to the
0l%inal porch. Within this archway is a large open porch, or vestibule, having a
stone seat on each side, and is ornamented near the top on each side with a series
°f six large seated figures in half relief, over which is an horizontal figure, in the act
°f %ing. This porch has been vaulted, and had archivolt ribs extending from each
angle. XJie inner door-way, from the porch to the aisle of the church, is adorned
2 b 2