C13th door handle
St Mary the Virgin, Withersfield, Suffolk
On the Victorian south door is the oldest artefact belonging to the church. It is the iron ring handle with a circular pierced backplate, and is thirteenth century. Two salamanders, which were believed to survive fire and so would protect a building, are riveted to the oval handle, while on the ring at the end of the shank is a tiny bird. This could be a dove, symbol of the Holy Spirit.
C13th door handle
St Mary the Virgin, Withersfield, Suffolk
On the Victorian south door is the oldest artefact belonging to the church. It is the iron ring handle with a circular pierced backplate, and is thirteenth century. Two salamanders, which were believed to survive fire and so would protect a building, are riveted to the oval handle, while on the ring at the end of the shank is a tiny bird. This could be a dove, symbol of the Holy Spirit.