File:The grotesque in church art (1899) (14801515483).jpg

Identifier: grotesqueinchurc00wild (find matches)
Title: The grotesque in church art
Year: 1899 (1890s)
Authors: Wildridge, Thomas Tindall
Subjects: Grotesque Christian art and symbolism Church decoration and ornament
Publisher: London, W. Andrews & co.
Contributing Library: PIMS - University of Toronto
Digitizing Sponsor: University of Toronto

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EXECUTION OF THE CAT, GREAT MALVFRN. The following curious scene from the Fox-fruitful churchof St. Marys, Beverley, is perplexing, and gives the Foxreceiving his quietus under unique circumstances. He is,with anxiety, awaiting the diagnosis of an ape-doctor, who iscritically examining urinary deposits ; his health has beenevidently not all he could wish. When, lo, an arrow, from thebow of an archer in quilted leather, pierces him through the heart! What more this carving means is a mystery. 27 / 2IO THE GROTESQUE IN CHURCH ART. Carvings of the ordinary fables in which the Fox isconcerned are not unknown. At Faversham, Kent, is one ofthe Fox and the Grapes ; at Chester is the Fox and theStork. The latter is, again, on a remarkable slab, probablya coffin lid, in the Priory Church of Bridlington, East York-shire, the strange combination of designs on which may bedescribed. At the head appear two curious dragon forms
Text Appearing After Image:
REYNARD IN DANGER, ST. MAKY S, BEVERLEY. opposed over an elaborate embattled temple, suggestive ofSaxon and Byzantine derivation, with a central pointed arch.This may be a rendering of the sun-myth, noted on page 3J.At the foot is a reversed lion, the curls and twists of whosemane and tail closely resembles those of the white porcelainlions used by the Chinese as incense-burners. Between thetemple and the lion is incised an illustration of the fable of theFox and the Stork. The slab, of which a rough sketch is THE FOX IN CHURCH ART. 211 J8a annexed, is of black basaltic marble, similar to that of the fontof the church, which is of the type generally considered tobe Norman, and to have been imported ready made fromFlanders, and on which dragons aresometimes the ornament. The Foxon this slab is the earliest sculpturedfigure of the animal known in England. There are also hunting scenes inwhich the fox is shot with bow andarrow, as in Beverley Minster; orchased with hounds in a way moreco

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