The ecclesiastical architecture of Scotland from the earliest Christian times to the seventeenth century; vol. 1/3MacGibbon, David
History
The ecclesiastical architecture of Scotland from the earliest Christian times to the seventeenth century; vol. 1/3
MacGibbon, David
Church architecture -- Scotland
same scenes, and are derived from the same source, as many of those
carved on the tympana and fonts of Norman churches. Such sculptures are
found on churches dating from 1135 to 1190, and almost no figure
sculpture is found on churches of an earlier date. The subjects carved
on the churches are similar to those on the crosses, such as Adam and
Eve, David and the lion, Daniel and the lions, hunting scenes, animals,
monsters, and symbolic figures derived from the bestiaries. (See Dalmeny
below.) The latter figures continued to be used on Gothic structures
till a comparatively late date.
[Illustration: FIG. 9A.--Island of Oronsay. (From _Scotland in Early
Christian Times_.)]
[Illustration: FIG. 10.--Kilchoman Cross, Islay.]
The sculptured crosses of the East of Scotland thus naturally connect
themselves with the current design of the period in other countries.
They are no longer the mysterious and unintelligible monuments they
[Illustration: FIG. 11.--From Iona.]
were once supposed to be. By the able investigations and expositions of
the writers above referred to, they are brought into harmony with the
general art of Europe prior to the twelfth century, and are shown to
hold a prominent place in the artistic history of the country.
It is remarkable, notwithstanding the abundance of sculpture on the
early monuments, that, until the advent of the Norman influence,
scarcely any indication of architectural details or sculpture occurs on
the churches of either Ireland or Scotland.
The earliest sign of decoration on buildings in Ireland is seen in the
form of a cross, composed of five white pebbles, inserted over the
doorway, in the dark stone of which the beehive cells of Ardoilean are
built. Some of the round towers contain very early instances of
symbolism in the Celtic cross carved on the lintel, while late examples
(such as Brechin) show a further advance in the introduction of a
Crucifixion on the lintel, and other figures on other parts of the
doorway. The carving of the cross on the above and other lintels is
probably symbolic of the blood of the lamb which was struck on the
doorposts of the Israelites in Egypt at the Passover.[42]
EARLY ECCLESIASTICAL STRUCTURES IN SCOTLAND.
The ecclesiastical structures of the early centuries which still survive
in Scotland are of the type of the stone erections above described in
the monasteries of Ireland. The beehive huts and oratories of the parent
eremitical establishments in the latter country are represented by a few
similar collections of structures which yet remain in the remote islands
and distant parts of Scotland.
Groups of dry-built beehive huts (or the remains of them), surrounding
one or more primitive churches, can still be pointed to in several
localities. These are surrounded with the wall or cashel which was
always present around the Irish monasteries.
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.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account