Sagitarius - Hook Norton, Oxfordshire
Early c1100 Norman bucket font of oolitic limestone, designed for total immersion , stands on a more recent base. It has a lead lining, and a recent fixed wooden surround on the upper surface
Round the upper part of the bowl, within a border, is a beaded wavy line (snakes ?) with foliage at intervals on either side and a half lozenge underneath. Round the lower part, within a border, is a series of roundels with circular medallions.
The figures show Adam and Eve (ADAM and EVA inscribed on their chests in mixed Roman and Lombardic capitals) , the tree of knowledge of good and evil, and signs of the Zodiac (Sagittarius (SAGITARIVS) , Aquarius & Aries)
Adam has a spade in his right hand and a rake held up in his left hand. Eve, who has plaited hair, holds an apple in her right hand and a fig leaf in her left.
Sagittarius (SAGITARIVS) the archer portrayed as a centaur, with the body, hind legs and tail of a horse and human torso, is turned away from Aquarius, but the upper, human part is looking back and holds a bow with a short arrow, which he is about to discharge. This combination suggests Sagittarius as the champion of all that is right and good, driving away the evil influence as represented by the flood which would destroy the world, released by Aquarius (the water carrier) who has a hooked stick over his shoulder with 2 water-bags hanging from it, and carries an axe in front of him., The destructive character of the water of the flood is thus contrasted with the regenerative power of the water of baptism.
Aries is typical of the lamb of God which takes away the sins of the world. He is standing on a flat pedestal and below this is a tree with foliage extending on either side from the top of the trunk, suggesting the tree of life. The remaining figure is Serpens, represented as a two headed serpent, with one head biting the other. This is a symbol o f the powers of evil which war against one another and bring about their own destruction. (or possibly the symbol of eternity)
- Church of St Peter, Hook Norton Oxfordshire
Sagitarius - Hook Norton, Oxfordshire
Early c1100 Norman bucket font of oolitic limestone, designed for total immersion , stands on a more recent base. It has a lead lining, and a recent fixed wooden surround on the upper surface
Round the upper part of the bowl, within a border, is a beaded wavy line (snakes ?) with foliage at intervals on either side and a half lozenge underneath. Round the lower part, within a border, is a series of roundels with circular medallions.
The figures show Adam and Eve (ADAM and EVA inscribed on their chests in mixed Roman and Lombardic capitals) , the tree of knowledge of good and evil, and signs of the Zodiac (Sagittarius (SAGITARIVS) , Aquarius & Aries)
Adam has a spade in his right hand and a rake held up in his left hand. Eve, who has plaited hair, holds an apple in her right hand and a fig leaf in her left.
Sagittarius (SAGITARIVS) the archer portrayed as a centaur, with the body, hind legs and tail of a horse and human torso, is turned away from Aquarius, but the upper, human part is looking back and holds a bow with a short arrow, which he is about to discharge. This combination suggests Sagittarius as the champion of all that is right and good, driving away the evil influence as represented by the flood which would destroy the world, released by Aquarius (the water carrier) who has a hooked stick over his shoulder with 2 water-bags hanging from it, and carries an axe in front of him., The destructive character of the water of the flood is thus contrasted with the regenerative power of the water of baptism.
Aries is typical of the lamb of God which takes away the sins of the world. He is standing on a flat pedestal and below this is a tree with foliage extending on either side from the top of the trunk, suggesting the tree of life. The remaining figure is Serpens, represented as a two headed serpent, with one head biting the other. This is a symbol o f the powers of evil which war against one another and bring about their own destruction. (or possibly the symbol of eternity)
- Church of St Peter, Hook Norton Oxfordshire