Up in the Roof: A Few Photographs from St Nicholas…

January 13, 2015

Eye-to eye with roof angels at King’s Lynn, November & December 2014: Pt. 2

The angel roof at St Nicholas shows signs of several earlier restorations, with replacement work of varying quality. But most of the full size angels - which are about 4 1/2ft tall - appear (barring some obvious patching) to be the work of medieval carvers, from the early C15th when the church was built. I think there are two, or perhaps even three carvers’ “hands” in evidence here, all working in very distinctive styles.

I’ve christened one of these the Methwold Master, since his hand (I’m convinced) can be seen in the roof at St George’s Methwold, and another, less decorously, but for obvious reasons, the Intestinal Hair Carver. The latter’s work (or that of his workshop) can, I’m convinced, be seen in two other angel roofs in the area.

I’ll post on this, and the whole issue of carvers’ hands shortly, and there’s more on it in the book (see the Menu), which should be out in late Spring 2015.

On cloud nine…

This angel plays a psaltery.

And the detail on the instrument - double strings, peg holes - is remarkable.

Crisp, springy ringlets, pupil-less, almond eyes, delicate nose and lips. The Methwold Master at work, I believe.

…and on this angel too. The Methwold Master again, I’d say. Lovely edging detail on the mantle. And a well carved modern fill in strip on the face.

…and this one also. The Methwold Master again (though obviously not the replaced wing on the RHS of the photograph, with its cross head screws).

The angels at the extreme west end of the nave have been sliced in half, to fit them round the tie beams.

The end angels had to be bisected, because the clerestory windows ran out. The others are all positioned at the apex of clerestory windows. Such cutting down of end angels can be seen in other churches, though usually, it’s just a wing clip.

This was carved by the Intestinal Hair Carver. Squamous hanks of hair, double incised. Goggle eyes. Incised pupils and irises.

An angel, with the stylistic “tells” of the Methwold Master plays a lost wind instrument.

The wings on this angel are obvious replacements (which is normal). The figure has the style features of the Intestinal Hair Carver.

A modern (Victorian or later) replacement. Pretty ghastly, but the carver has tried to copy some of the stylistic features of the genuine medieval angels in the roof.