have a nimbus, but are without wings. Above the cornice which runs along
the top of the ambry and in the hollow of the roof or cope the
Annunciation is sculptured. The Blessed Virgin stands on one side and
the angel on the other, holding the scroll with the salutation. Between
them is the pot of lilies, and behind the Virgin an open book,
symbolising the prophecies regarding her.
Above the ambry are seen indications of broken work, as if there had
been something more sculptured above, and in the village, built into one
of the cottages, there is a series of figures (Fig. 1115), which have
clearly been taken from the church, and which possibly stood over this
ambry. These carvings are just the length required to fit the space, the
panel containing them being 3 feet 1½ inch wide. Mr. Robertson, however,
thinks that these figures formed part of a tomb, and that the broken
remains on the top of the ambry indicate the former existence of some
kind of parapet; but in any view, to bring these figures back to the
church would be a fitting conclusion to the admirable work which has
lately been carried out by the minister, the Rev. Dr. Burr, with the
assistance of Mr. T. S. Robertson, architect.
The alterations lately effected consisted in removing a partition wall,
which, along with the rood screen, separated the east end of the
building from the part used as the Parish Church, and in removing the
plaster ceiling, which cut across the tracery of the west window,
preparatory to putting on a new open timber roof. The belfry replaces a
nondescript erection of last century. The bell (Fig. 1116), which is
old, is 14 inches high by 17¼ inches in diameter at the lip, and is
attached to the stock by three canons. The stock is of oak, and,
although bound with iron, is much rent. The bell is very heavy and of
simple but beautiful form. The letters of the inscription seem to have
been formed separately, and fitted round the mould in which the bell was
cast.
The font (Fig. 1117) is richly sculptured, but is much mutilated. It is
octagonal in shape, and measures 3 feet high, with a round basin, 20½
inches wide. In the panels round the basin are sculptured scenes from
[Illustration: FIG. 1113.--Fowlis Easter Church. Sacrament House.]
the life of Christ, which are much broken and defaced. The Baptism
occupies one space, and Christ bound with a figure on each side (Fig.
1118)
[Illustration: FIG. 1114.--Fowlis Easter Church. Sculpture on Ambry.]
is carved on another. The panels also contain the arms of Gray and
Wemyss, with others now obliterated.
[Illustration: FIG. 1115.--Fowlis Easter Church. Sculpture in Village.]
The door of the rood screen is still preserved. It is of dark oak, and
is one of the few examples of pieces of furniture of this description
remaining in Scotland (Fig. 1119). It has open work in the upper part,
occupying nearly half the height (see details in Fig. 1120) and four
[Illustration: FIG. 1116.--Fowlis Easter Church. Bell.]
panels below, the lower two having the linen pattern, and the two above
(forming the centre of the door) being decorated with tracery work.
One of the most remarkable features of this church consists of four
large pre-Reformation paintings on oak panels, two being at present hung
on the east wall and two on the north
[Illustration: FIG. 1117.--Fowlis Easter Church.