Llanarth nr. Aberystwyth / Llannarth
Image copyright © Alun Teagle Building Conservation, 2010
Permission received (e-mail of 21 September 2013)
Results: 7 records
view of font
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Alun Teagle Building Conservation, 2010
Image Source: digital photograph taken by Alun Teagle [http://past-caring.com/index.html]
Copyright Instructions: Permission received (e-mail of 21 September 2013)
view of font
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © [in the public domain]
Image Source: Tyrrell-Green (1928: fig. 37)
Copyright Instructions: PD
design element - motifs - varied (rosettes or pellets?)
Scene Description: now practically invisible under the metal brace [cf. Font notes]
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Alun Teagle Building Conservation, 2010
Image Source: digital photograph taken by Alun Teagle [http://past-caring.com/index.html]
Copyright Instructions: Permission received (e-mail of 21 September 2013)
view of church exterior - west view
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © John Lord, 2010
Image Source: digital photograph taken 7 August 2010 by John Lord [www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2032747] [accessed 21 September 2013]
Copyright Instructions: CC-BY-SA-3.0
view of church exterior - southwest view
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Dylan Moore, 2008
Image Source: digital photograph taken 6 May 2008 by Dylan Moore [www.geograph.org.uk/photo/791245] [accessed 21 September 2013]
Copyright Instructions: CC-BY-SA-3.0
animal - mammal - lion - passant - 4
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Alun Teagle Building Conservation, 2010
Image Source: detail of a digital photograph taken by Alun Teagle [http://past-caring.com/index.html]
Copyright Instructions: Permission received (e-mail of 21 September 2013)
view of font
INFORMATION
Font ID: 05869LLA
Object Type: Baptismal Font1
Font Century and Period/Style: 12th century, Norman
Cognate Fonts: [cf. FontNotes]
Church / Chapel Name: Parish Church of St. David / Eglwys Dewi Sant [formerly St. Fylltyg's / St. Vylltyg's]
Font Location in Church: Inside the church
Church Patron Saint(s): St. David [aka David of Wales, Davidus, Dewy] [formerly dedicated to St. Fylltyg / Vylltyg]
Church Address: Llanarth, Ceredigion, United Kingdom SA47 0NH -- Tel.: (01) 545580745
Site Location: Ceredigion, Wales, United Kingdom
Directions to Site: Located on the A487, at the junction with the B4342, 5 km from Aneraeron, about 30 km SW of Aberystwyth
Ecclesiastic Region: Diocese of St. David's
Historical Region: Hundred of Moythen -- formerly Cardiganshire
Additional Comments: recycled font: abandoned font was recovered and brought back into the church / damaged font: metal brace around the top side of the basin
Font Notes:
Click to view
Romilly Allen (1884) notes a sketch by H. l. [Longueville?] Jones of a "font supported by four beasts" at Llanarth, Cardiganshire. Kelly's Directory (South Wales, 1895) states that the font in this church is a work of the 11th century. Described and illustrated in Tyrrell-Green (1928): "The old font dilapidated and disused but now recovered and set up within the church at Llanarth (Cardigan) [...] has also prowling round its base four magnificent lions in bold relief, whose stealthy movement is very naturally indicated." The upper part of the basin is square, with a round well; the sides of the basin are slanted inwards and cut into eight triangular shapes (four upright, four inverted), at the foot of which roam the lions, all facing left; they all stand on a square platform. Peter Lord, in Diwylliant... (1998-2003) describes the lions that support this damaged font as "reminiscent of Herefordshire work". Thurlby (2006) notes the uniqueness of this lion base in Welsh fonts but adds that "analogues for lions at the base of fonts are found at Hereford cathedral , Shobdon (Herefs.), Sutton (Herefs.) and St Mary's Stafford", as well as on the Mosan font at Furneaux [NB: other Romanesque fonts with lions at the base exist in the Asturian region of Spain (e.g.: Bareyo, Santoña)]. Thurlby (ibid.) also points out that "the frieze at the top of the Llanarth font is almost totally obscured by a metal tie, but on the north face [...] traces of rosettes and pellets are seen above the tie" and that this motif adorns the fonts at Bettws Bledrws, Henfynyw and Llansantffraed as well. [NB: contacted Alun Teagle, of Part Caring Building Conservation, (e-mail of 21 September 2013) about restoration done in this church; Teagle noted that the font was just 'dusted' over at the time; he will provide any records if/when found and provide any images if available].
Credit and Acknowledgements: We are grateful to Alun Teagle, of Past Caring Building Conservation, for his help in documenting this font
COORDINATES
UTM: 30U 410664 5783421
MEDIUM AND MEASUREMENTS
Material: stone
Font Shape: square, mounted
Basin Interior Shape: round
Basin Exterior Shape: square (prysmatic)
Drainage Notes: lead lined
REFERENCES
- The Visual Culture of Wales = Diwylliant gweledol Cymru, Cardiff: University of Wales Press, 1998-2003, vol. 3: 72 fn 50
- Allen, J. Romilly, "Notes on Early Christian Symbolism", N.S., VI, Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 1884, pp. 380-464; p. 454
- Kelly, Kelly's Directory of South Wales, [London]: Kelly's Directories Ltd., 1895, [www.genuki.org.uk/:8080/big/wal/CGN/Llannarth/Kellys1895.html] [accessed 29 December 2006]
- Thurlby, Malcolm, Romanesque architecture and sculpture in Wales, Little Logaston, Woonton, Almeley, Herts.: Logaston Press, 2006, 256-257 and fig. 365
- Tyrrell-Green, E., Baptismal Fonts Classified and Illustrated, London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge: The Macmillan Co., 1928, p. 40, 63 and fig. 37