Volume 4: South-East England

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.

Current Display: Winchester (Old Minster) 41, Hampshire Forward button Back button
Overview
Present Location
Winchester City Museum, Historic Resources Centre, Hyde House, Winchester, accessions no. 2943 WS 227
Evidence for Discovery
Found in archaeological excavation north of Winchester cathedral in 1964 in rubble derived either from demolition of north wing added to Old Minster during tenth century, or from baptistery; Final Phase 67-8 (Provisional Phase 1002), early to mid twelfth-century
Church Dedication
Old Minster
Present Condition
The carved surface is well preserved, with faint traces of whitewash.
Description
S-twist about 6.5 cm wide composed of rounded but flattened bands 3.5 cm wide. The finishing at both sides apparently against the background shows that the relief was about 2 cm high.
Discussion
This fragment may have been part of a frame like Winchester (Old Minster) no. 42, to which it is very similar, but the twist here has a smaller diameter. Both reliefs have a very similar stone type and were found near one another. The present piece could have formed part of the decorative scheme of the Old Minster baptistery. For discussion and references, see Winchester (Old Minster) nos. 42 and 47.
Date
Seventh century or later
References
Biddle and Kjølbye-Biddle forthcoming a, fig. 145, no. 41
M.B.; B.K.-B.
Endnotes

Forward button Back button
mouseover