The ecclesiastical architecture of Scotland from the earliest Christian times to the seventeenth century; vol. 2/3MacGibbon, David
History
The ecclesiastical architecture of Scotland from the earliest Christian times to the seventeenth century; vol. 2/3
MacGibbon, David
Church architecture -- Scotland
contains two pointed recesses for monuments, of which the design is
excellent. The general design is of first pointed character, but the
moulding on the left side has been repaired with ornament of fifteenth
[Illustration: FIG. 881.--Whithorn Priory. Font.]
century work. The most important feature connected with the nave is the
doorway at the south-west angle (Fig. 880). It is set in a slight
projection of the wall, which contains features, such as the pointed
window over the doorway, which indicate a late period. The doorway
itself is undoubtedly Norman, and probably of an early date. It is much
worn away, and has been greatly damaged by the erection of a porch (now
removed), the roof of which has cut into the mouldings. The shafts are
built in nooks, and have caps carved with owls’ heads and other
ornaments, now much decayed. One cap is carved with a quatrefoil, which
is certainly a late addition. The abacus is of simple section, and is
carved with sunk faceted ornaments. The arch comprises four orders,
besides a hood mould. Three of these orders are enriched with chevron
ornaments, and one order (the second from the inner opening) has an
irregular arrangement of geometric patterns and circular discs. Similar
geometric patterns are introduced in the west doorway at Dunfermline
Abbey. It will be observed that some of the voussoirs are incomplete.
Thus in the outer order the second voussoir to the left of the head over
the centre has the chevron very imperfectly cut, and is evidently an
insertion. The same remark applies to the voussoir below it to the
right, which has only one half of a chevron, and in the next order
straight below the head a rounded stone is substituted for the proper
voussoir. All these divergences from the usual careful work of Norman
building seem to indicate that there has been an alteration of the
doorway. Most probably it has been rebuilt and the imperfect voussoirs
introduced to make up deficiencies in the old work.
The hood mould, which is plain, had a terminal at each end, carved as a
large human head.
The remarkable figures carved on the projecting wall, above each side of
the arch, are worthy of observation. The sculpture on the right side and
the lower one on the left have a strong resemblance to the figures often
found on the ancient sculptured stones, and, when taken in connection
with the sculptures at Dalmeny, point to a close affinity between the
sculptured figures on the ancient stones and the architecture of the
twelfth century in Scotland. It may be mentioned that many fragments of
sculptured stones, chiefly carved with interlacing work, have been dug
up in the neighbourhood, and are kept in the existing part of the old
church.
The ancient font (Fig. 881) has been preserved. It is bowl shaped and
extremely simple in design, and may be of Norman date. Mr. Galloway
informs us that it was long used as a trough for pounding stucco, and
stood at the Town Hall. It is now reverently placed in the church.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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