148 SOME DERBYSHIRE FONTS. 



are two leaves, one on each stem, growing from their outer 

 and opposite sides, with but one edge, the lower, serrated, 

 while the upper is quite plain and smooth ; above and adjoining 

 these are the ends of other leaves, two on each side, the 

 upper portions of which are between the stems and door-handle- 

 shaped piece. The two stems, which support the leaves, grow 

 through the loop or handle passing over its base and under the 

 upper portion. This loop is so carved on the font as to give 

 the appearance at its upper termination of an actual growth 

 from the body or bowl of the font. Not so the lower ends of 

 the stems, which have the appearance of hanging down on the 

 exterior or face of the bowl. In other instances this peculiar 

 combination of designs appears differently arranged, the foliage 

 being simpler and the loop lower on the stems. 



The only other point to notice in the scheme of ornament 

 is the double ring of round moulding, encircling both bowl and 

 stoup* (see Fig. 1). A mistaken idea seems to exist that all 

 salamander-ornamented fonts must be Norman. This is amply 

 and effectually disproved by the example at Norton, in Derby- 

 shire, where we have a bowl with clustered shafts, between 

 which is inserted that ornament of Late-Norman and Early 

 English times, the dog-tooth. This font is illustrated in 

 Dr. Cox's great work and in Paley's Baptismal Fonts. There 

 is at Ashford-in-the-Water, near Bakewell, a font of the 

 Perpendicular period, which has a doubtful salamander upon 

 it. It is between the bowl and shaft, with its head projecting 

 on one side and its tail hanging down on the other. 



The font at Youlgreave, strangely enough, is mentioned by 

 neither Paley nor Simpson, except in a passing remark by the 

 former in reference to the projection, in which he falls 

 into the inexcusable error of comparing it with the Decorated 

 example of Pitsford, Northants.f This Northamptonshire font 



* The total absence of the usual Norman ornaments, such as the chevron, 

 star, or cable, is to be noticed, showing ihe advanced period of the Norman 

 style in which this font was constructed. 



t This is an error into which nearly everyone falls in describing either of 

 the two fonts. 



