The ecclesiastical architecture of Scotland from the earliest Christian times to the seventeenth century; vol. 3/3MacGibbon, David
History
The ecclesiastical architecture of Scotland from the earliest Christian times to the seventeenth century; vol. 3/3
MacGibbon, David
Church architecture -- Scotland
The cap of the west pier on the north side belongs to the first pointed
work, while the corresponding cap on the south side (see Fig. 962) and
all the other caps belong to the restoration of the fifteenth century.
The above cap and all the later caps in the nave have the upper
mouldings run in a straight line without any break, while the lower
mouldings break round the section of the piers (Fig. 964).[13] A moulded
shaft, considerably off the perpendicular, rises from the top of the
above cap to the string course at the junction of the old and the
restored wall.
The piers of the nave, except the west piers, are of a clustered form
not uncommon in late work in Scotland. The caps and main arches have
good mouldings, and might be about the date of the restoration of St.
Giles’, Edinburgh (which they resemble), in the early part of the
fifteenth century.
The design of the triforium is very remarkable (see Figs. 961 and 962),
consisting of large segmental arches the same width as the main arches,
springing from short clustered piers introduced between them. Each arch
is filled in with two pointed arches resting on a smaller central shaft.
These arches and the spandril between them are treated with bold
cusping.
The triforium of the nave of Dunkeld Cathedral somewhat resembles that
at Paisley Abbey. It contains a series of semicircular openings filled
with similar pointed arches and cusping, but the work at Paisley is
superior, and would appear to be the earlier of the two. In neither
church is there any vaulting shaft to divide the bays.
The clerestory is probably designed in imitation of that of Glasgow
Cathedral. It is divided into two pointed arches in each bay. These
spring from a series of clustered shafts with round moulded caps, which
have an early character, but are evidently late imitations of early
work. The exterior views (see Figs. 957 and 959) show that each
clerestory window contains a central shaft, with two cusped arches and
quatrefoil in the arch-head.
The parapets of the nave and nave aisles are evidently, from the style
of the mouldings and ornaments, of late date.
There seems to be no reason to doubt that, as above stated, the upper
portions of the nave were carried out about the time of Bishop Tervas,
in the middle of the fifteenth century. The earlier part of the
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
[Illustration: FIG. 964.--Paisley Abbey. Pier of Nave.]
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