of the Holy Dove," the Crucifixion, the Temptation, and other Scriptural subjects; the mystic Vesica Piscis, or the entwined and fretted arms of the floriated Cross; here we find a representation, to us perhaps unintelligible, because the circumstances are unknown, yet evidently descriptive of some mediæval miracle, or some mighty display of the power of the Church. The Fonts of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries are varied in ingenious devices and in ornamental detail; but they contain little beyond mere architectural ornaments. The late Fonts exhibit a somewhat different kind of decoration. Effigies, no longer grotesque, but saintly and life-like, of holy personages; séjant lions, Evangelistic symbols, shields, the Seven Sacraments, the instruments of the Passion, with occasionally inscriptions or initial letters, constitute the chief sources of design. The enrichment of every part, and especially of the sides, generally, in quatrefoiled circles, sometimes double-feathered, and the panelling of the stem in vertical tracery, very often with Angels having outspread wings in the upper part, are peculiarities usually observable in this style. So constantly indeed do these features occur, that it appears evident either that inventive genius was declining, or the subjects of design were felt to be exhausted. Grotesque sculpture is very rare in late Fonts: at Barrowby, near Grantham, the stem is pierced, and contains C
- Fincham,
z All Saints, Norwich, b Stoke by Nayland. ▸ North Bradley. 14 Saffron Walden.
- Colesbill.
Stoke Cannon. a Wiston ;-Covenham St. Mary. < Ufford. f Bourn. Weston. Nettlecombe,-Walsoken. € Fakenham. Axbridge.
