Page 20 - Historic Churches 2013
Basic HTML Version
20
BCD Special Report on
Historic Churches
20th annual edition
CATHEDRAL
C O M M U N I C A T I O N S
Mass dial at the Church of St Bartholomew in Ubley, Somerset
(Photo: Jonathan Taylor; other photos on this page: British Sundial Society)
Mass dial at the Church of St Peter and St Paul, West Clandon, Surrey, which
has been marred by the addition of an inappropriate stone frame
Worcestershire mass dials recorded in TW Cole’s
Origin and Use of Church Scratch-dials
, 1935
Repaired mass dial with Roman numerals (including
an unconventional rendering of the number four) at the
Church of St Mary, Marston Moreteyne, Bedfordshire
not drawn. Similar dials can be found at
the Church of St Bartholomew in Ubley,
Somerset (above right) and the Church of
St Peter and St Paul, Saltwood, Kent.
Many medieval churches had their
exteriors whitewashed, as were the castle keeps
of Harlech, Rochester and the White Tower,
Tower of London. In these cases the mass dials
would have had their carved lines over-painted.
The range of mass dials is extensive and the
designs reflect the knowledge of the individual
parish priest in their varying complexity. The
British Sundial Society now keeps a register
and supplies mass dial recording forms on
its website (see Acknowledgements).
CONSERVATION APPROACHES
Mass dials are delicate pieces of sculpture of
great archaeological and historic importance.
They are vulnerable to all the problems
associated with solid masonry walls, from
erosion and plant growth damage to graffiti
and vandalism. Most are now weatherworn
after centuries of exposure to the elements, and
the markings are often only faintly discernible.
The conservation of mass dials varies
according to regional geology. An acceptable
conservation scheme for soft southern
chalk would clearly be inappropriate in a
sandstone, limestone or granite district.
In all cases expert advice should be
sought through the conservation architect
appointed by the church (usually the
diocesan advisory committee). A full
condition survey should be carried out,
including drawings, a photographic record
and a written report to justify any physical
intervention. The comprehensive written
report should consist of a full scientific
analysis of the treatment required. The nature
of the stone should be studied in detail with
samples taken from an adjacent stone to
establish its petrology and determine the
most appropriate conservation approach.
Sensitive care and judicious intervention
may extend the life of the carving.
Nevertheless, however much care is taken
to ensure the survival of precious historic
mass dials, they will eventually weather
to dust if left exposed to the elements.
Ideally an accurate three dimensional
digital record of the carving should be
made before it is too late. These may be
kept as a record of what was once there,
but they can also be used to create a
replica when necessary. The question is:
at what point in the deterioration cycle
is it acceptable to move the remnant for
safekeeping, perhaps inside the church,
and replace the original with a facsimile?
Recommended Reading
TW Cole, Origin and Use of Church Scratch-
dials, Hill Bookshop, London, 1935
A Cook, Mass Dials on Yorkshire Churches,
British Sundial Society, Crowthorne, 2008
AR Green, Sundials: Incised Dials or Mass-
clocks, Society for Promoting Christian
Knowledge, London, 1926
D Scott and M Cowham, Time Reckoning in
the Medieval World: A Study of Anglo-
Saxon and Early Norman Sundials, British
Sundial Society, 2010
G Zarnecki, English Romanesque Lead
Sculpture, Alec Tiranti, London, 1957
Acknowledgements
The author would like to acknowledge the
assistance of Tony Wood of the British
Sundial Society (
).
Peter TJ Rumley
MA DPhil MA FSA MIfA is an
art and architectural historian, consultant historic
buildings archaeologist and conservationist.
