An English Romanesque Limestone Corbel Head in the form of a bearded man late 12th century

with traces of polychromy.

Sir Francis Hill

English Private Collection

International Fine Art & Antique Dealers Show, October 19-25, 2007, New York

Winter Antiques Show, January 18-27, 2008, New York

Weathering, small losses, and encrusted dirt; traces of dark polychromy throughout. Modern metal mount for attachment on the reverse.
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Sir Francis Hill (1899-1980), who was mayor of Lincoln, Chancellor of the University of Nottingham, and a distinguished historian and archeologist of Medieval Lincolnshire, uncovered this unusual piece among the early foundations of St. Peter at Arches in Lincoln while supervising its demolition in 1933.  

The 12th century in England was marked by a transition from native regional idioms of church decoration to increasingly sophisticated and cosmopolitan stone carving styles influenced by French and Continental developments.  The boldly carved staring eyes, whimsically stylized hair and moustache, and deeply chiseled teeth are characteristic of mid 12th century English Romanesque carvings, while the vertical form, heavily drilled high relief, and traces of pigment suggest a date closer to the turn of the 13th century.  As a result of the iconoclasm of successive ages, particularly in protestant England, extant architectural elements of this period in good condition are exceedingly rare.