The stone now forms part of a reconstructed trapezoid cross. Seven fragments were removed from the walls of the church during restoration in 1881. Four of the pieces formed part of an Anglo Saxon cross which has been restored using concrete and stone. It is now sited at the west end of the nave. On one of the narrow faces of the stone in the shaft an inhabited scroll survives. At the top a quadruped faces left with its head back-turned to bite at a berry bunch. It has a canine head with a pointed ear and frog-like jaws and it wears a collar. The pelt is indicated by deep irregular lines and the legs are stiffly extended. Beneath a bird faces right, its head back-turned to reach a berry bunch. It has a rounded parrot-like head with a back-pointed eye, collar and scalloped wings. Below this is a quadruped identical to the one above. Standing on the foot of the scroll is an archer who is three-quarter turned with his head bent back looking upwards. His right hand pulls back the bow-string. The details of his face are more distinct than any other figure on this cross.
This photograph was withdrawn from the open Red Box Collection for conservation reasons during the 2011-12 Red Box Project.
This is part of the Series: RBO01/14 Early Photographic Print Collection: Durham; within the Collection: RBO01 Early Photographic Print Collection
Source: Historic England Archive
Anglo Saxon Architecture, Stone Carving, Medieval Parish Church, Early Medieval Anglican Church