Fig. 881.—Whithorn Priory. Font.
century work. The most important feature connected with the nave is the doorway at the south-west angle ([Fig. 880]). It is set in a slight projection of the wall, which contains features, such as the pointed window over the doorway, which indicate a late period. The doorway itself is undoubtedly Norman, and probably of an early date. It is much worn away, and has been greatly damaged by the erection of a porch (now removed), the roof of which has cut into the mouldings. The shafts are built in nooks, and have caps carved with owls’ heads and other ornaments, now much decayed. One cap is carved with a quatrefoil, which is certainly a late addition. The abacus is of simple section, and is carved with sunk faceted ornaments. The arch comprises four orders, besides a hood mould. Three of these orders are enriched with chevron ornaments, and one order (the second from the inner opening) has an irregular arrangement of geometric patterns and circular discs. Similar geometric patterns are introduced in the west doorway at Dunfermline Abbey. It will be observed that some of the voussoirs are incomplete. Thus in the outer order the second voussoir to the left of the head over the centre has the chevron very imperfectly cut, and is evidently an insertion. The same remark applies to the voussoir below it to the right, which has only one half of a chevron, and in the next order straight below the head a rounded stone is substituted for the proper voussoir. All these divergences from the usual careful work of Norman building seem to indicate that there has been an alteration of the doorway. Most probably it has been rebuilt and the imperfect voussoirs introduced to make up deficiencies in the old work.
The hood mould, which is plain, had a terminal at each end, carved as a large human head.
The remarkable figures carved on the projecting wall, above each side of the arch, are worthy of observation. The sculpture on the right side and the lower one on the left have a strong resemblance to the figures often found on the ancient sculptured stones, and, when taken in connection with the sculptures at Dalmeny, point to a close affinity between the sculptured figures on the ancient stones and the architecture of the twelfth century in Scotland. It may be mentioned that many fragments of sculptured stones, chiefly carved with interlacing work, have been dug up in the neighbourhood, and are kept in the existing part of the old church.
The ancient font ([Fig. 881]) has been preserved. It is bowl shaped and extremely simple in design, and may be of Norman date. Mr. Galloway informs us that it was long used as a trough for pounding stucco, and stood at the Town Hall. It is now reverently placed in the church.
TEMPLE CHURCH, Mid-Lothian.
