One of the parts of Wenlock Priory that always fascinates me when I visit is the remains of the lavabo. It is a huge water vessels that was built in around 1220 using parts of an earlier lavabo which was dated around 1160-80:
The lavabo was an octagonal building with open arcades which supported a roof. The central structure was of three storeys. Water was fed into a circular cisterna and flowed through the mouths of sixteen carved heads into a shallow trough, where sixteen monks could wash simultaneously. The trough had plugholes for drainage, and was supported by a circular base around which were several elaborately carved panels, two of which survive.
The stone used in the lavabo is silurian Wenlock limestone, known as ‘Wenlock Marble’ because it can be highly polished.
Free-standing lavabos are rare in this country, though common on the Continent. The survival of this form of laver at Wenlock is due to it being a French-influenced, Cluniac priory.*
The two stone panels depict Christ and the apostles and are replicas of the originals which have been removed to prevent frost damage. The panel in the top picture shows John with his hand on his chin with another unknown apostle.
The panel in the lower picture shows Christ calling Peter and Andrew on the Sea of Galilee with James and John in another boat.
*Information taken from the English Heritage guidebook first published in 1999.
I love the stone carvings
They are one of my favourite things in the Abbey. There is a bench near by and when it is a nice day it is lovely to sit there
The sheer weight of history is insupportable.
History is fascinating.
Not to sound sacrilegious, Cherie, but they look like little Munchkins.
Adorable.
They fascinate me, I would love to see the originals.
Would love to see the originals too – such amazing sculptures and something one needs to see in person to completely appreciate.
I think they fascinate me so much because I haven’t seen anything like them anywhere else.