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
conjunction with the arms, it is supposed by Mr. T. Craig Brown[217] to
commemorate one of the Scots of Harden, who lived at Aikwood or Oakwood,
a tower still standing not far from Selkirk. The stone probably dates
from about the early part of the sixteenth century.
The following figures represent three stoups in the possession of Mr.
Craig Brown, Selkirk. Fig. 1495 shows the five sides of one of these. On
one face is a lion rampant, and on the adjoining space to the right is a
human face, the mouth of which forms an opening for emptying the basin.
On the space to the left is carved the figure of a buck or hart. The
other two faces are broken. On one is the hind quarters of an ox having
a long tail and cloven feet, and on the other the forequarters and head
of a hare in full flight.
The lion may be heraldic or it may have a symbolic meaning. The hart is
probably an allusion to the beginning of the xlii. psalm--“As the hart
panteth after the water brooks.” This verse is inscribed on a font of
the eleventh century, at Potterne, Wilts,[218] and the figure of a hart
is of frequent occurrence on Celtic and Norman work, where, as is now
generally
[Illustration: FIG. 1496.--Selkirk Parish Church. Stoup.]
believed, it has a symbolic meaning. The ox and hare, being also animals
referred to in Scripture, are probably to be considered in the same
category. This example is from Peebles, and was given to Mr. Brown by a
gentleman who believes it was found at some ruined building there. It
measures about 13 inches across on top by 9¾ inches high, and the bowl
is 4 inches deep.
[Illustration: FIG. 1497.--Selkirk Parish Church. Stoup.]
Fig. 1496 shows two views of a stoup, which is square, with the angles
cut off, converting it into an unequal-sided octagon. It is decorated in
a very curious manner with signs and letters of which we can give no
explanation. It was found built into an old house at Selkirk when it
was taken down many years ago. A mason took possession of it and used
it for a flower pot, and chiselled a hole in the bottom. The fragment
measures about 14⅝ by 16 inches. The basin is 11 inches over by 10
inches deep.
Both of these specimens are cut out of red sandstone.
The third stoup (Fig. 1497) is cut out of hard blue whinstone, and has
an unfinished appearance. It is decorated with shields, some having an
incised cross, and with foliage of a Gothic character. The plan on the
under side is in the form of a Greek cross. It measures about 18 inches
in diameter by 10½ inches high, with a basin 11 inches wide by 9 inches
deep.
WIGTON CHURCH, WIGTONSHIRE.[219]
An ivy clad ruin standing in the old churchyard of Wigton. Only the east
end (Fig. 1498) with a considerable portion of the south wall and a
small portion of the north wall remain. The first measures 21 feet 2
inches wide on the inside, and the south wall extends for a length of
about 55 feet.
[Illustration: FIG. 1498.--Wigton Church. Plan.]
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