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: Part of cross-shaft and -head [1]
Measurements: H. 74 cm (29 in); W. 27.5 > 25.5 cm (10.8 > 10 in); D. Built in
Stone type: Soft, fine-grained, decalcified, yellow (10YR 8/8–7/8) sandstone; Lower Calcareous Grit Formation, Lower Oxfordian, Upper Jurassic; from immediate vicinity (exposed in small pits west of church).
Plate numbers in printed volume: 427-428
Corpus volume reference: Vol 3 p. 126
(There may be more views or larger images available for this item. Click on the thumbnail image to view.)
Only one face is visible.
A (broad): The cross-head's lower limb protrudes beyond the shaft. The plain perimeter moulding is flat except by the arm-pits, where it is more modelled. The vertical limbs have an inner flat moulding which becomes the interlace strands of the lateral arms. There is a large circular incision at the centre, not a boss. The cross-arms are type A11 except for the lower arm, which is type D11, with the arm-pits almost closed. The circles are closed by a ring, type 1(a), whose inner edge joins the gap. The arm-pits are filled by domed billets. The ring is now visible only on the left-hand side, though more was visible formerly. It is incised or contoured. The lateral arms are filled by simple pattern E interlace (Stafford Knots) with angular corners and pellet fillers within the loops. The vertical limbs have an interlace passing on each side of the central ring, ending in a clumsily executed pattern E terminal below, and probably a free ring and diagonals above. In the broader, lower arm, an additional filler is inserted between the circuiting strands.
The shaft has a double flat edge moulding which does not return across the top of the panel. Within the panel is a deeply cut profile beast, S-shaped with double outline. The domed head contains an incised elliptical eye, below which the upper contour incision continues onto the head. The head is thrown back and the jaws consist of elliptical loops threaded by a disconnected strand which crosses the waist and passes beneath the hind leg. There is a shallow nick in the edge of the throat. An irregular pellet fills the space thus created. Single pellets also fill the spaces behind the head and inside the loop of the hind quarters. The fore leg is bent and tapered to fill the top left-hand corner. The hind leg is at right angles to the torso; it has a double outline and a frond-like foot, bound by a loose strand. Transverse bars bind the neck and rump. The beast is scarred by two intrusive horizontal grooves.
The carving is assured and deep; the planning of the S-shaped beast is much more controlled than the Middleton dragons (cf. Middleton 1 and 2) and relates more closely to Sinnington 3 and 4. The composition is a tight S with pronounced curves, a planned design. The looped and laced jaws also relate closely to the Sinnington beasts, as do the pellet fillers. The size of the animal is matched by very similar ribbon beasts on Pickering 1 and Nunnington 1. Indeed, with the present shaft, the three shafts form a group and it is interesting that Nunnington lies some miles to the west of the others. This piece's beast faces in the opposite direction to most other Ryedale analogues.
The cross-head has no close parallels in its details, though the ring-head fits into the eastern Ryedale tradition and is typical of the mid tenth-century fashion in Anglo-Scandinavian areas of northern England. The protruding lower limb makes the cross appear top heavy, but the design is competent. The cross belongs to the Ryedale School, discussed in Chap. 10.
