Nave N doorway, lintel E relief

Image of the feature "Doorways: Nave N doorway" at Dunton.

by Ron Baxter.

The entire doorway has been painted with a yellow wash.  The original jambs do not survive, although the E jamb has been rebuilt in plain ashlar blocks.  The lintel is long, extending beyond the jambs on either side.  The central section of the lintel retains traces at its E end of angular interlace carved in relief.  The two ends of the lintel, above the jambs, have carved panels.  The E panel has a figural scene carved in relief and surrounded by a raised border.  To the R is a standing frontal figure, of which all surface detail is lost except thin vertical folds of reeded drapery at the bottom of an ankle-length robe.  In the centre is a prostrate figure shown in R profile at the feet of the R figure.  At the far L is a second standing figure turned towards the main group.  This is better-preserved and apparently female, with details of facial features and drapery surviving.  The head is lowered, and she has a simple headdress and long gown.  In the upper centre of the field is a large form with two semicircular lobes looming over the prostrate figure.  This retains some surface articulation, in the form of curved reeding and a stepped lower edge.  For possible interpretations, see Comments and Opinions below. The W panel is much more simply carved with an incised drawing of a horse in L profile.  The upper edge of the central section of the lintel is chamfered, and the recessed tympanum area is rubble-filled.  The arch face is carved with lateral centrifugal chevron consisting of a roll with a hollow outside it.  The inner edge is left plain.

Dimensions

E relief max. height	0.20m
E relief max. length	0.40m
Height of lintel	0.20m
Height of opening	1.90m
Length of lintel	1.74m
Width of opening (estimated)	0.95m
W relief max. height	0.20m
W relief max. length	0.39m