Volume 7: South West 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: Hanging Langford 1, Wiltshire Forward button Back button
Overview
Present Location
Now re-set in the interior north wall of All Saints' Church, Steeple Langford (SU 036374)
Evidence for Discovery
Found built into a cottage wall at Hanging Langford by Mr Perrett (Newall 1939)
Church Dedication
Present Condition
Stone very worn, sides and back cut back; depth not now measurable
Description

Part of a single roll moulding survives to the right. Two broad, originally pelleted, bands cross to form two complete medallions (23 cm / 9 in long at the crossing points), and the beginning of a third at the top. Within each medallion there are pendant stems which sprout a pair of small pointed triangular leaves. In the upper medallion the strands appear to be knotted. In the lower medallion it appears that the trumpet node divides from the main wide stem crossing, one narrow strand passing through the upper medallion to form a knot and another crossing into the lower medallion and falling as a pendant flower. In the intersections between the medallions there are pairs of small pointed leaves.

Discussion

The very broad pelleted bands which cross like medallion plant-scrolls could well be such, and with their small pointed leaves and delicate knotted tendrils they are, as Kendrick noted (in Newall 1939, 183), unique in southern England. The pelleted bands do however have the appearance of lacertine animals, and one wonders whether this is a transitional piece which includes both plants and lacertine animals, as at Colyton (Ills. 4, 7). Kendrick dated it early or mid ninth century and compared it with Carolingian manuscripts. It is however more reasonably placed in the scroll tradition, and the leaf forms are very similar to Kelston 1 (Ill. 268).

Date
Late eighth century
References
Newall 1939, 183–4, fig. on 184, pl. facing 184; Stone 1955b, 36, 37, 39; Pevsner 1963, 435; Pevsner and Cherry 1975, 483; R.C.H.M.(E.) 1987, 11, 12
Endnotes
None

Forward button Back button
mouseover