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-slab
Measurements: H. 27 cm (10.5 in); W. 24 cm (9.5 in); D. 13 > 9.5 cm (5 > 3.5 in)
Stone type: Greyish orange pink (5YR 7/2), non-calcareous, pebbly, poorly sorted, clast-supported, quartz sandstone; a few white feldspar clasts. The sub-angular to sub-rounded clasts range from fine-grained (0.2 mm) to very coarse-grained (2.0 mm), but are mostly medium- to coarse-grained in the range 0.4 to 1.0 mm. Millstone Grit, Carboniferous
Plate numbers in printed volume: Ills. 454-7
Corpus volume reference: Vol 9 p. 174
(There may be more views or larger images available for this item. Click on the thumbnail image to view.)
The stone can best be restored as a fragment of a vertical cross-slab.
A (broad): The upper and right edges are framed by a row of pellets flanked by the border moulding and a second moulding. Within this is some form of (now unrecognisable) relief ornament.
B (narrow): Only the border moulding adjacent to face A survives; within this is a meander pattern.
C (broad): The decoration is bordered by a double moulding to the left and above. Within is relief decoration consisting of a human figure, seen in profile and facing to the right, with arm extended before him.
E (top): Continuation of the meander pattern seen on face B.
The pelleted outline is strongly reminiscent of metalwork effects; compare for example the Rupertus cross, Ormside bowl and Winchester reliquary (Webster and Backhouse 1991, nos. 133, 134, 136). In this respect the carving reflects the same tastes as Whalley 4 (Ill. 679). Similar effective use of pelleting can also be found in Yorkshire, Co. Durham and Northumberland, though there is no reason to deduce any direct link between the various regions (Lang 1991, 40, ills. 221, 264, 267, 269, 273, 347; id. 2001, ills. 450, 1116; Cramp 1984, pls. 147.772, 215.1225). The meander pattern is characteristic of Viking-age carving in northern England (Bailey 1980, 72), as is also the figural carving — compare for example the Sigurd figure at Ripon (Coatsworth 2008, ill. 662).
