DERBYSHIRE FONTS. 22 1 



The photograph reproduced shows the side facing east, but 

 the font stands in a very obscure position, and a better result 

 was hopeless. To add to the difficulties of observation, a 

 semi-circular wall has been built at the back, or west, of the 

 font, which most effectually prevents a thorough examination 

 being made or photograph of that side taken. A brass tap, 

 green and old, projects from the side on the north-west. 



On the side illustrated is a rude carving of a fore-shortened 

 figure riding a very long-nosed horse, which has a large 

 protruding eye, and a long drooping ear hanging over its 

 forehead, giving it a most dejected look. On the south is 

 a sort of lion-like animal with a long curly tail ; it is so sketchily 

 carved that it might be a bull. The other subject.s, of which 

 there are two, cannot be clearly seen, but one appears to 

 resemble a pig. The whole was probably intended to represent 

 a hunting scene. 



Grotesque animals were popular Norman eccentricities. 

 Very similar figures of the lion, bull, and pig type are to 

 be found on various tympana throughout the country, and in 

 Derbyshire at Hognaston, Parwich, and Ashford-in-the-Water, 

 while figures similarly fore-shortened are also at Tissington 

 and Hognaston on the tympana, of which Derbyshire has a 

 rich selection. 



The font, of which it is quite out of the question to give a 

 further account, is placed on two steps, stands at the west end 

 of the wide nave, and is lined with lead. 



THE NORMAN FONT AT TISSINGTON. 



There is a most striking resemblance between the font at 

 Ti.ssington and that at Mellor, both in shape and general 

 ornamentation. Rumour has it that Derbyshire had yet another 

 specimen of this type, in the font at Thorpe, the parish adjacent 

 to Tissington, but want of forethought, and gross disregard for 

 objects of a sacred nature, allowed it to be exposed to the 

 inclemency of the weather, with the result that the outer shell 

 of the stone peeled off. It is now quite plain but for two modern 



