Abbeys -- Scotland; Cathedrals -- Scotland; Church architecture -- Scotland
The triforium design consists of large segmental arches, the same
width as the main arches, springing from short clustered piers
introduced between them. It somewhat resembles the triforium of the
nave at Dunkeld Cathedral. The clerestory is probably designed in
imitation of that of Glasgow Cathedral, and is divided into two
pointed arches in each bay. They spring from a series of clustered
shafts with round moulded caps that are late imitations of early
work.[395] The earlier part of the nave restoration, including the
main piers and arches, and perhaps the tracery of the two lower
windows of the west front, were possibly executed by Bishop Lithgow,
who built the north porch, and the completion of the nave (the upper
portions) was carried out in the time of Abbot Tervas--the middle of
the fifteenth century. A peculiarity of the nave interior is a
series of large corbels, which project from the spandrils of the
triforium arcade, and the object of which was to enable a passage to
be carried round the solid piers introduced between the windows.
Each of the large corbels springs at its lowest point from the
sculptured grotesque figure of a man or animal. They were mostly the
work of Thomas Hector, a sculptor, who lived at Crossflat,[396] and
whom the abbot retained for his skill in the art.[397] The
employment of such grotesque figures was very much affected by the
monks of Clugny, and was the occasion of a rebuke from St. Bernard.
"What business had these devils and monstrosities in Christian
churches, taking off the attention of the monks from their prayers."
One of these figures near the west gable represents a man in a kilt,
and Dr. Lees thinks that many worshippers in the Abbey in more
modern times have in the midst of long sermons found relief in the
contemplation of those curious carvings which the saint thus
vigorously denounced.[398]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account