Tympanum - St Nicholas - Barfrestone, Kent - Relief Art Sculptures on Waymarking.com

A fine Norman tympanum arch, carved in relief, over the south door of St Nicholas' church, Barfrestone.

"The tympanum and arches of the south door boast some of the finest Norman carvings in Britain. At the centre of the tympanum is a figure of Christ. At his feet are two mermaids, a gryphon, and a figure of a sphinx.

Above this figure are three semi-circular bands of carvings. The first is simply a band of leaves. The second contains 12 medallions, featuring strange beasts playing musical instruments. One theory is that the masons were inspired by popular bestiaries of the day.

From left to right we see three figures playing instruments (a hare with a flageolet, an ape with pan pipes, and a woman with a dulcimer), a bear playing the harp, carousing beasts, a Miming figure, a hare toasting a partridge, a pair of lovers, two men arguing, a horse rider, a falconer, hounds chasing a hare, a churchman, and, finally, a monkey riding a goat, carrying a dead hare.

The third band of carvings draws on signs of the zodiac and the 'labours of the months'. Here we find two rams butting heads, a peacock, a pair of manticores (beasts with human heads), dragons, a gryphon, and a hedgehog."

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Your impression of the sculpture?: Where is this sculpture?: St Nicholas Barfrestone, Kent England CT157JQ Date Sculpture was opened for vewing?: Not listed Website for sculpture?: Not listed Sculptors Name: Not listed

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