DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6914#0246
214
architectural antiquities.
reign of Henry VI. Fig. 9 is from the organ screen of Canterbury Cathedral,
constructed by Prior Henry de Estria, in 1304 ; and figs. 10 and 12 are from
King's College Chapel, Cambridge.
Figs. 3, 4, and 7 are Pannels from the altar tomb of Si? James Hobart, attorney
general to Henry VII., who died in 1507, from Norwich Cathedral. Fig. 8 is
from a monument in the south aisle of Salisbury Cathedral. Fig. 11, from a niche
built by Bishop Beauchamp, St. George's Chapel, Windsor. (See Architectural
Antiquities, vol. iii.)
Plate No. 75. Piscinae, or remains of them, may be found in almost all our
ancient churches, as there was generally one attached to every altar. Properly
speaking, the Piscina was the basin, or sink, in which the priest washed his hands
when performing the sacred rites at the altar, in allusion to the text, " I will wash
my hands in innocency," (Psalm xxvi. ver. 6), and where all the consecrated waste,
or impure water, &c. that could be so disposed of, was emptied out. Fosbrooke,
in his remarks on this subject, quotes an ordinance of an ancient synod, in these
words, " We order a font for washing the hands of the officiating priests, which
may be either pensile, or affixed to the wall, and furnish water,—with a linen
pall."82
There is a great variety in the forms of Piscinas, as maybe seen from the annexed
print; and they were not unfrequently of a duplex character, as is that from
Salisbury Cathedral. Some were as remarkable for the plainness and simplicity,
as others were for their tasteful elegance of design, and sculptural richness of
execution. Those of the latter kind are principally found in buildings of the middle
ages, and may be considered as shrine-like gems, evincing the applicability of the
Pointed style to almost every purpose of minute decoration.
1. The Piscina, marked 1 in the accompanying print, belonged to a small altar
at the eastern extremity of the north aisle of the Church of St. Cross, in Hampshire.
It consists of a basin supported by a short octagonal column and plinth, standing
on a basement step. Both the basin and the plinth are ornamented with uncouth
sculptures of animal figures.
81 " Encyclopaedia of Antiquities," vol. i. p. 96. " Among the Romans, Piscina was, 1, a fishpond ;
2, a shallow reservoir for persons who did not know how to swim ; and 3, a place for watering horses."
Ibid. vol. ii. p. 514. A small pool, or basin of water, in a public square, was also called a Piscina.
architectural antiquities.
reign of Henry VI. Fig. 9 is from the organ screen of Canterbury Cathedral,
constructed by Prior Henry de Estria, in 1304 ; and figs. 10 and 12 are from
King's College Chapel, Cambridge.
Figs. 3, 4, and 7 are Pannels from the altar tomb of Si? James Hobart, attorney
general to Henry VII., who died in 1507, from Norwich Cathedral. Fig. 8 is
from a monument in the south aisle of Salisbury Cathedral. Fig. 11, from a niche
built by Bishop Beauchamp, St. George's Chapel, Windsor. (See Architectural
Antiquities, vol. iii.)
Plate No. 75. Piscinae, or remains of them, may be found in almost all our
ancient churches, as there was generally one attached to every altar. Properly
speaking, the Piscina was the basin, or sink, in which the priest washed his hands
when performing the sacred rites at the altar, in allusion to the text, " I will wash
my hands in innocency," (Psalm xxvi. ver. 6), and where all the consecrated waste,
or impure water, &c. that could be so disposed of, was emptied out. Fosbrooke,
in his remarks on this subject, quotes an ordinance of an ancient synod, in these
words, " We order a font for washing the hands of the officiating priests, which
may be either pensile, or affixed to the wall, and furnish water,—with a linen
pall."82
There is a great variety in the forms of Piscinas, as maybe seen from the annexed
print; and they were not unfrequently of a duplex character, as is that from
Salisbury Cathedral. Some were as remarkable for the plainness and simplicity,
as others were for their tasteful elegance of design, and sculptural richness of
execution. Those of the latter kind are principally found in buildings of the middle
ages, and may be considered as shrine-like gems, evincing the applicability of the
Pointed style to almost every purpose of minute decoration.
1. The Piscina, marked 1 in the accompanying print, belonged to a small altar
at the eastern extremity of the north aisle of the Church of St. Cross, in Hampshire.
It consists of a basin supported by a short octagonal column and plinth, standing
on a basement step. Both the basin and the plinth are ornamented with uncouth
sculptures of animal figures.
81 " Encyclopaedia of Antiquities," vol. i. p. 96. " Among the Romans, Piscina was, 1, a fishpond ;
2, a shallow reservoir for persons who did not know how to swim ; and 3, a place for watering horses."
Ibid. vol. ii. p. 514. A small pool, or basin of water, in a public square, was also called a Piscina.