9781903356616
Images of faith, irreverent creatures, flamboyantly, attired men and women, and scenes from everyday life can all be found on Devon‘s ancient bench ends. This collection, one of England’s largest, has a diversity of design with different traditions on the north and south coast and yet remains largely unappreciated.
This is the first in-depth study and contrast carvings in Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset with those of Devon. It shows how during the last 600 years bench ends were handcrafted in every parish. They fell from favour after the Civil War and then saw a Victorian Renaissance.
More than 2500 survive in over 100 country churches waiting to be discovered and appreciated for their mediaeval workmanship.