File:Symbolism of animals and birds represented in English architecture (1913) (14749957984).jpg

Identifier: symbolismofanim00coll (find matches)
Title: Symbolism of animals and birds represented in English architecture
Year: 1913 (1910s)
Authors: Collins, Arthur H
Subjects: Christian art and symbolism Animals in art Church architecture Church decoration and ornament
Publisher: London : Sir I. Pitman & sons,ltd.
Contributing Library: PIMS - University of Toronto
Digitizing Sponsor: University of Toronto

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by some English sculptorof the ninth or tenth century, but the designis of a much earlier date, and may reasonablybe referred to an Italian artist of the sixth orseventh century. . . . On the centre of aplain Greek cross is laid the figure of a deadLamb. As far as I can learn, the conceptionis unique. The drooping head and the bentlegs of the victim tell of death with eloquentforce ; and under this limited aspect it isperhaps allowable to present for contempla-tion the dead Christ. No one, I think, canregard It without feeling that we have lostgreatly by substituting a literal representationfor such a symbol. On the Norman tympana of Parwich andHognaston, Derbyshire, the Agnus Dei seemsto be incongruously assorted with a crowd ofwild beasts, birds and serpents. In the lattercase the beasts are accompanied by anecclesiastic with his pastoral staff. Thesymbolism of this association has constantlypuzzled archaeologists. It seems to the writer,however, that a suggestion of Mrs. Jameson 66
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1 ENGLISH CHURCH ARCHITECTURE in her Sacred and Legendary Art comes nearto explaining the meaning. When, she says, wild beasts as wolvesand bears are placed at the feet of a saintattired as abbot or bishop, it signifies that hecleared waste land, cut down forests, andsubstituted Christian culture and civilisationfor Paganism and the lawless hunters life: suchis the significance in pictures of S. Magnus,S. Florentius, and S. Germain of Auxerre. Even where, as at Parwich, there is noecclesiastic, the symbolic meaning may bemuch the same. On the Norman font at Kirkburn, Yorks,the Lamb is confronted by a savage with aclub on his shoulder; the savage is leadingby a rope what may be a bear. As a rule there will be little difficulty inrecognising the Agnus through the bentforeleg in which the Cross is carried. There is no animal more frequently repre-sented in our churches than the lion. Hissymbolism is twofold, both good and evil,and therefore it is somewhat confusing. The lion is easily re

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