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Object type: Part of panel or frieze
Measurements: H. 22.9 cm (9 in); W. 34.3 cm (13.5 in); D. 28 cm (11 in)
Stone type: Medium-grained, massive pale yellow sand stone
Plate numbers in printed volume: Pl. 111.609-611
Corpus volume reference: Vol 1 p. 125
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Only one face is carved. Framed by a neat flat-band moulding are two figures in deep relief. They are in lively motion: that on the left is backed against the frame, that on the right is advancing away from the frame. Between them is a sword, falling bent and useless. It has a short guard, round grip, and pommel with a rounded top and triangular base. The sword may have fallen from the hand of the figure on the left. He raises a shield in his left hand, and has his right arm extended. The man on the right appears to be thrusting with a spear under the shield of his opponent. Both wear knee-length garments, that of the man on the right possibly having a wide collar. The fact that there seem to be the beginnings of two other recessed panels on either side of the frame implies that this was not the frame of a cross but of a wall panel.
It seems probable that narrative secular scenes like this were known before the full impact of Scandinavian art (Introduction, p. 21), so that this may be compared with the Bishophill, York, group. The carving is competent and lively, especially the legs of the figure on the left. The dress cannot be used for close dating, but the sword pommel is like that from Fetter Lane (Wilson 1964, pl. 24; Petersen 1919, type L).
