Select a site alphabetically from the choices shown in the box below. Alternatively, browse sculptural examples using the Forward/Back buttons.
Chapters for this volume, along with copies of original in-text images, are available here.
Object type: Two shafts with capitals and bases
Measurements: H. 70.1 cm (27.6 in); D. 16.4 cm (6.5 in) .
Stone type: Hartlepool and Roker dolomite
Plate numbers in printed volume: Pl. 76.379-380
Corpus volume reference: Vol 1 p. 90-91
(There may be more views or larger images available for this item. Click on the thumbnail image to view.)
The pieces are identical and the capital, shaft, and base are carved from one stone. The capitals and bases are formed from shallow blocks with sharply chamfered corners. At the top and bottom of each shaft is a heavy rounded collar. Each shaft is bulging in shape and at the centre of the curve is a grooved and rounded moulding. On one side of each column (Pl. 76, 379) there are small holes with metal fittings which could be the remains of bars or a grill.
The unweathered appearance of these shafts indicates that they must have been protected, and if, as they appear to be, they are mid-wall shafts from a tower opening, then they could not have been exposed for very long. Boddington postulates that they could have been reused in the church built between 1180-90.
Although columns decorated with incised lines and raised bands are known from other centres in this region (see Jarrow 30, Monkwearmouth 14 and Hart 10), this type, with a markedly bellying profile and with cap and base attached, is not known elsewhere. The region is rich in undecorated mid-wall shafts in tower openings (see Billingham, Bolam, Bywell, Monkwearmouth and Ovingham), but only at Billingham does this curving profile appear. The Greatham decoration is more directly comparable with the more highly ornamented towers of the midlands such as Earls Barton.
