Volume 8: Western Yorkshire

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: Kirkby Wharfe 2, West Riding of Yorkshire Forward button Back button
Overview
Present Location
At the west end of the north aisle of the nave, cemented into the floor.
Evidence for Discovery
First mentioned in Speight (1902, 179, and pl.). No evidence for its discovery.
Church Dedication
St John the Baptist
Present Condition
Incomplete and some damage to face D
Description

A cross-shaft of rectangular section, the arrises edged with cable moulding.

A (broad): An angular, lattice-like medallion scroll, of which only one medallion survives, with broad flat stems. Fine tendrils spring from each stem to link in the centre of the medallion and terminate in a many-petalled flower. Single loose pellets fill the spaces above and below the tendrils. Similar tendrils fill the spandrels between this medallion and the incomplete one below: curving and flowery on the right, more angular and leaf-like on the left. The spandrels above the medallion are less clear, but that on the right may have a downward-pointing pointed leaf.

B (narrow): A continuous large-scale double-stranded meander of type 2, of which one and a half elements survive.

C (broad): An eight-cord basket plait, median incised.

D (narrow): Only a fragment at the top of this face survives. It seems to show a single strand pattern, but it is not clear whether this would be a step pattern or meander.

Discussion

This type of scroll which crosses and re-crosses lattice-like along the length of a shaft is found elsewhere in Wharfedale. In general, it is an example of a long-lasting tradition which appeared first at Otley (Ills. 561–3) and was thereafter reproduced in line with changing styles until the end of the period (see for example Ilkley 1B and 1D (Ills. 336, 338) for a transitional form), but there are complex inter-relationships among the various examples (Chap. V, p. 53). This angular example links so closely with one from Collingham, no. 3 (Ill. 153), which has a similar approach to design on all four faces, that it seems probable they are the work of one sculptor.

Date
Tenth century
References
Speight 1902, 179, and pl.; Collingwood 1912, 130; Collingwood 1915a, 207, 271, 274, 282, figs. g–j on 206; Collingwood 1915b, 328; Collingwood 1927, 88, 158, fig. 189g–j; Bailey 1980, 189–90
Endnotes
[1] The following are general references to the Kirkby Wharfe stones: Allen 1885, 353; Browne 1885c, 157; Bogg 1904, 255–6, pls. on 33, 256; Morris 1911, 298, 549; Collingwood 1915b, 328; Elgee and Elgee 1933, 218; Mee 1941, 213; Pevsner 1959, 289.

Forward button Back button
mouseover