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Object type: Part of shaft [1]
Measurements: H. 17 cm (6.7 in); W. 26 cm (10.25 in); D. 18 cm (7.1 in)
Stone type: Almost completely obscured by applied coating, but with some evidence of being a well-sorted, light red (2.5YR 6/6) sandstone. The sub-angular quartz grains are all about 0.7 mm diameter. Consistent with the Hawksmoor Formation, Sherwood Sandstone Group, Triassic, of the Leek inlier (R.T.)
Plate numbers in printed volume: Ills. 491–3
Corpus volume reference: Vol 13 p. 268
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A (broad): A wide angle roll moulding and two thin plain inner roll mouldings bisect the stone on the right. Between these and the break on the right is an indeterminate carved element disposed vertically on the stone. To the left are the remains of a figure wearing a pleated full-length robe, whose elongated foot, visible below the hemline, is turned sharply to the right; the other foot and the lower edge of the robe are lost in the break that cuts diagonally across the stone on the left. The upper half of the figure is also lost in the break along the upper edge, but below this, an arm is visible, crossing the body at waist height, holding a square object out to the right. A short vertical feature flanks the figure on the left, immediately above the diagonal break in the stone.
B (narrow): Although damaged and covered with mortar, the remains of an interlace pattern is visible, bordered by the angle moulding on the left.
C (broad): Bounded by the remains of two roll mouldings on the left, the stone is filled with the remains of a four-strand plait.
D (narrow): Damaged and covered with mortar.
The carved remains preserved to the left of the double mouldings indicate that the shaft featured a figure wearing a full-length robe bearing a book who was probably disposed in profile, facing left. It would thus seem to reflect subject-matter analogous to that preserved on fragments at Bakewell, Derbyshire (9A and 29A) where single profile figures are featured holding a book across their bodies, and where that on Bakewell 29A also wears a full-length robe (Ills. 28, 69). Unlike the Bakewell fragments, however, the garment worn by this figure is rendered as a more fully pleated robe, while the figure itself seems to have been separated from a further carved feature by median mouldings, and may have been winged. This latter aspect, however, is extremely uncertain as the upper torso, shoulders and head of the figure are missing. The carving can thus, at best, be understood as either a clerical or angelic figure bearing a book.
