Measuring about 18 inches long and very heavy, these stunning medieval carved beasts were probably arm rests on large pews and the tenons have clearly been cut off at the rear. They are probably be meant to be recumbent lions but equally they could just be imaginary scary beasts. There are examples illustrated "From Bears to Bishops" a book by Paul Hartley on Norfolk's medieval church carvings which have very similar deep set eyes and wide mouths with large teeth as can be seen in the photograph of a carved animal on a pew end in St Peter and Paul Church in Carbrooke, Norfolk. They have wonderful dark rich colour and patination and the noses and upper surfaces have clearly been well rubbed by hands and arms. They are hard to date but are probably from the early 15th century. They are 18 inches long x 4 inches wide x 5 1/2 inches high.
Ref: 10858
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