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Object type: Central part of cross-shaft [1]
Measurements: H. 104.2 cm (41 in); W. 33 > 27 cm (13 > 10.6 in); D. 25.5 > 21 cm (10 > 8.25 in)
Stone type: Medium-/coarse-grained, massive yellow sandstone
Plate numbers in printed volume: Pl. 173.914-917
Corpus volume reference: Vol 1 p. 176-177
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The shaft is broken at the base and has a dowel-hole at the top. The verticals are edged with roll mouldings, with a light central groove.
A (broad): At the top is a broad horizontal band which seems to have delineated a panel above and may once have carried an inscription. Below is a Crucifixion scene originally in relief, but now worn. The base of the cross is cut off by a broad horizontal band, below which the ground is cut back to form the stepped base of the cross. The lower portion is uncarved. The cross extends from the top to the bottom of the carved frame. The upper arm is type A1.
Christ stands erect with feet out-turned and arms extended but disappearing on the short cross-arms. His head is turned to his right and he has a small dished halo. The facial details are almost obliterated but he seems to have had punched eyes. A long curling lock of hair extends on to his left shoulder. He appears to wear a straight knee-length robe. Below are two smaller frontal figures whose arms and shoulders encroach on the frame. The figure on the left turns his head as he lifts his arms to drive a spear into the right side of Christ. The action of the figure on the right is obscure but he was doubtless holding a sponge or cup. Both figures are dressed in long straight tunics. The plain field below appears to have been uncarved but may have carried an inscription, subsequently obliterated.
B (narrow): Four volutes of a simple scroll with plain nodes survive. Each encloses a berry bunch which is oval tending to rounded and from each volute hangs a pair of oval veined leaves. Sprouting from the nodes on the left are pairs of similar leaves but attached to the stems so that they appear as split leaves. Sprouting from the nodes on the right are similar split leaves and round buds on straight stems.
C (broad): The remains of four interlaced medallions of a plant-scroll survive. These enclose oval berry bunches. Each of the heart-shaped medallions has single stems at the base which swell into nodes. From the nodes sprout stems of grape bunches and stems of paired triangular veined leaves, which interlace with the stems of the next volute.
D (narrow): The remains of five volutes of a simple scroll survive, each enclosing oval or long triangular berry bunches. From each volute hangs a pair of long triangular veined leaves and from the plain nodes sprouts a single bud on a stiff stalk.
The ornamental scheme, and the manner of laying out this cross with medallion scrolls on the broad face and a single scroll with drop leaves on the narrow faces, are paralleled at Stamfordham and Lancaster. The style of carving, which is heavier and has identical repeating scroll elements, is very different from Hexham 1 and is comparable with work in Italy. However, the scheme is also found on 1, save that on 2 the Crucifixion scene is on one broad face instead of an inscription. It is just possible, however, since the central portion of the shaft is missing on 1, that this also had a Crucifixion scene just as 2 may have had an inscription. The Crucifixion scene may have been modelled on the Crucifixion panel, Hexham 19, as Collingwood'suggested. Coatsworth (1974a, 183) suggests not necessarily a direct copying but that `similar or related models might lie behind both'. The Crucifixion scenes on 2 and 19 are the only survival of figural carving from Hexham. There are ineptitudes in the layout of the figures here which suggest a differently proportioned model was used for the scene on the cross-face. There are also signs of mismanagement of the layout of the vine-scroll on face B.
