Plate IX
(24) A man on horse back with dog, both much
defaced.
(25) Two hounds running after a hare, which has doubled among
the corn. The hounds have collars, and the hare may be seen at the top of
the medallion facing left.
(26) A man on the back of an ass, with his face towards the
spectator.
(27) An ape seated on a goat’s back with a dead rabbit
slung over its shoulder. This may be another circus turn.
THE TYMPANUM. Plate X
The dominant feature of this tympanum (as at Rochester,
Patrixbourne and Betteshanger) is Our Lord seated in an aureole. Here He
is surrounded by Angels, human heads, and curious animals. Splendid
foliage scrolls based on acanthus divide the surface into semi-circular
compartments, in which the figures are found. Neither the acanthus plant
in nature, nor the acanthus design on a
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Corinthian capital have these long
tendrils. Mr Philip Johnston has suggested that the tendril characteristic is due to the
laying of an acanthus leaf on its side, when the serrations and curves
become prominent. The tendency to form tendrils must certainly have been
increased by the need of an ornament to take the place of the
pre-Carolingian vine scroll. The figure of Our Lord has no nimbus. The
hair is long and falls on the shoulders. He blesses with raised right hand
and two fingers extended. He is obviously seated, though the throne hardly
appears.
At the top on each side are diminutive flying Angels which
seem to support the aureole, and at the same time to bear scrolls. Near
them are two human heads not easy to decipher. Two full faced Angels
bearing scrolls spread out in a wide V are below. The two crowned heads to
the right and left are probably representations of a king and queen. One
has long hair and the other short. The one on the left
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