Colerne, Wiltshire

There are two fragments of Anglo-Saxon carving built into St John the Baptist's church. This one is the less worn.

The stone is actually at 90 degrees to this drawing. I only realised after I'd finished, that this way is probably how it was originally carved to be seen (perhaps). At least, on its own, it makes more sense up this way. The doggish noses and big teeth are reminiscent of the dragon heads at Elkstone. Though those must be centuries later. Pevsner says the Colerne dragons are from the 9th century.

 Images © Rhiannon 2014