Romano-British Side-Tables and Chip-Carving Author(s): T. W. J. Solley Source: Britannia, Vol. 10 (1979), pp.

169-177 Published by: Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/526053 Accessed: 15/04/2010 09:46
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Romano-British Side-Tables and Chip-Carving

By T. W. J. SOLLEY
N 1954 a chip-carved slab was discovered on the Romano-British settlement at Gatcombe,1 near Bristol. Interest in its decoration and possible use led to a search for other examples, and has resulted in the listing of some 30o slabs from 23 sites in the counties of Avon, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Gwent, Hampshire, Somersetshire and Wiltshire. The map (FIG. I), together with the gazetteer, provide a record of the known find spots. Attempts to trace slabs outside of the counties above have been unsuccessful but no doubt some have been missed and others will continue to appear on excavations.
DESCRIPTION

The slabs appear in two forms, rectangular and bow-fronted as shown in FIG.I, and will in this report be referred to as Types R and BF respectively. They are readily recognized by their bevelled edges and square corner-blocks. Size varies from site to site, but the average for Type R is 36 in. by 24 in. (92 cm by 61 cm) with a thickness of 3? in. (8 cm). For the Type BF the approximate size is 53 in. by 32 in. (135 cm by 82 cm) by 5 in. (13 cm) thick (PLSVI, VII). On three sides the bevelled edges and square corners are usually decorated by chip-carving, but there is no decoration or blocking of the corners along the fourth or rear edge. In most instances the upper surface is left plain within a raised bead or moulding (FIG.3, x and y). On the West Park slab there is decoration in the form of inscribed arcs and circles (PL. VIC). It has not been possible to identify all of the materials from which the slabs are made, but for the example at West Park, Chilmark stone was used, with Todber freestone at Marnhull and an example in Purbeck marble at Silchester.
THE DECORATION

Most of the designs on the edges and corner blocks are derived from simple overlapping arcs and triangles, the spaces between the main patterns being deeply incised to leave three facets of triangular shape. This and the other designs shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 appear to denote a departure from classical floral ornament and an elaboration of early compass-drawn and incised work. There is a similarity to wood-carving. Before the advent of the table-tops here described, counterparts for the designs in FIG.2, a-c, can be found in the Antonine period. A few examples are the zig-zag 'leaf' pattern around the edges of the tablet from Halton Chesters2on Hadrian's Wall, a tablet from Bothwellhaugh, Lanarks,just south of the Antonine WalP and the altar from the fort of Newstead.4 The design in FIG.2, d, is often used in a circular form on altars in northern Britain and is sometimes
1Proc. Somerset Arch. & Nat. Hist. Soc. 111 (1967), 29-30, fig. 4. B.A.R. 44 (1977), 36. 2 Antiq. Journ. xlviii (1968), pl. 29a; RIB 1428. 3 Britannia vii (1976), pl. xxxvii B. 4 Curle, Newstead (1911), 58, pl. xxIv.

169

170

T. W. J. SOLLEY

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10

20 40
I

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40 60 I
I

50

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I 20
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I
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I 80
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kilometres

0
RECTANGULAR

0
BOW FRONT

FIG. I. Distributionof chip-carved Table-tops.(For numberssee list in Gazetteer,p. 175)

ROMANO-BRITISH

SIDE-TABLES

AND

CHIP-CARVING

171

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1101516 21

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It' FIG.2. Table-edge designs.

172

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TYPICAL

FIG. 3. Table-edgedesigns.

ROMANO-BRITISH

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173

qfpq I'T7

Park Reconstruction of Table fromOldBarn, Wincanton Tockington (No. 18)and(Lower)from Farm(No. 7). referred to as 'Sunk Star'. Examples are at Kirkintilloch on the Antonine Wall5 and in the drain-cover from the bath-house at the fort of Bothwellhaugh.6 A particularly fine pair of chipcarved roundels appear on the altar to Jupiter Dolichenus at Great Chesters.7The 'shield' design, FIG.2, f, is rather unusual, and 's' is the triskele. The 'wild rose' designs in FIG.3, t and u, can be seen on a stone from Duntocher on the Antonine Wall.8 The 'rope' or 'cable' design, used as a border on some table-tops, is also present on stone-work of the Antonine period and can be seen in numerous illustrations in RIB. Decoration contemporary with the table-tops appears on the handles of trullei or skillets manufactured from Kimmeridge shale as found at Cranborne Chase9 and at Segontium (Caernarvon),1owhere the design in FIG.2, a, can be seen.
FIG. 4. (Upper)

op. cit. (note 2): pl. 25b; RIB 2185. Britannia vi (I975), 35, FIG. 6. Current Archaeology. 52 (Sept. 1975), 155-6. 7 Arch. Ael.2 (1903), 58, pl. xxiv; RIB 1726. 8 op. cit. (note 2), pl. 27a; RIB 2203. e Excavations on Cranborne Chase. i. (1887), 139, pl. xlviii, fig. 5. 10 Segontium Y Cymmrodor. xxxiii, 145, FIG. 69. This figure is incorrect in showing the handle terminating in a full circle. The correct shape is shown in op. cit. (note 9) fig. 5.
6 6

174

T. W. J. SOLLEY

A1'

FIG. 5. Reconstructionof Table from Alesia (96 by 62 cm).

or moulding, The uppersurfaceof thesetable-topsis usuallyplain apartfroman edge-bead which in the case of the Nettleton Shrubslab in incisedwith a seriesof chevrons,FIG. 3, x. The only othercase of decorationis fromthe West Parktop, whereinscribed arcsand circles are used. A comparable but this has not decorationis shown on a slab found at Silchester,11 been includedin the gazetteeras it lacks the cornerfeaturesof the table-topsreviewedhere.
DISCUSSION

In the reportsstudiedtherehave been no plans or illustrations which show the slabs in situ. At TockingtonPark Farm the slab was describedas 'firmlyset upon masonry,apparently as a base for something',and from this scanty informationa numberof possibilitiesarise, of the villa. The descriptiondoes not includingthat of re-useat a phase of reconstruction the presence therefore an impostis not indicated indicate of further the and above slab masonry for the similarstonesfound at the Kings Westonvilla).12It may have been (as was suggested an improvised table or bench-seat. Although some reportsrecordthe slabs as coming from of shouldbe placedon these contextsin or rooms a no villa, greatsignificance specificparts view of the probability that they were removedfrom their originalposition when alterations were carriedout or the table dismantled.Both at Camerton13and at Caerwent14there was evidenceof re-useas building-material. withdwarfcolumnssuggested Thefactthatthe slabswereoftenfoundin association tables,and ParkFarm for Old Barnin FIG. 4 (Upper),and for Tockington suchassemblies are put forward
11Archaeologia. i. (1887), 16. 12 G. C. Boon. Trans. Bristol & Glos. Arch. Soc. 69 (1950), 21. 3.
13

14 Ashley, Hudd & King. Excavationsat

W. J. Wedlake.Excavationsat Camerton.(1958),64, pl. xiv. a. Caerwent(Venta Silurum),(1910o),437.

ROMANO-BRITISH

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175

in FIG.4 (Lower). The decoration indicated that the plain edge was set against a wall, leaving the three decorated edges visible. The slabs are assumed to have been placed with the bevelled edges facing downwards, thus presenting the larger surface uppermost. A typical column is that from Holcombe which is 2 ft. io in. (87 cm) high, the material being Beer oolitic limestone. Comparable tables outside of this country appear in Alesia in eastern France; an example is illustrated in FIG. 6.15 Not only has the table-top the squared corners found on the British examples, but also an effect similar to that of bevelling the edges has been achieved by way of a step-back in the front and sides, again presenting the larger face uppermost. However, the method of registeringthe table-top on the support is not a feature of the tables in this country, where it is assumed that stability was achieved by the purchase of the rear edge of the table-top against a wall and a firm and level contact with the floor. For the bowfronted tables, one would expect multiple supports or even a built-up base to cater for the extra weight. Records so far indicate these large tables as being a feature of town sites, where the size may have been dictated by the dimensions of the room in which they were situated. The tables referred to here can only be dated to within the life-span of the villas or townhouses in which they were found, that is the late third and fourth centuries. There is similar difficulty in closely dating the tables in Alesia, where both rectangular and round types have been found in basements and are usually related to religious cults, in particular that of the Matres. In Germany similar tables or monopodia are referred to as 'cellar tables', with similar claims for their use.16 Haug was prepared to envisage a more commonplace or everyday use for them, and his view could also apply to the tables here described. It is hoped that the designs collected and shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 will provide a basis for further study of Romano-British stone carving and thereby fill the gap between Roman classical styles and later Saxon and Norman work. GAZETTEER To be used in conjunctionwith the map, FIG.I.
Site No.

Long Ashton, Avon. (ST 526699) I. GATCOMBE (WalledSettlement),

Example No. I. Almost complete but broken. Type R. PL. VII A. Example No. 2. CornerFragment.Type BF. PL. VII B.

In City Museum,Bristol. Refs. F5538, F5539, F554o and F5541.

Proc. Somerset. Archaeol. & Nat. Hist. Soc. iii (1967), 29-30. fig. 4. B.A.R. No. 44 (1977), 36. 2. KINGS WESTON PARK (Villa), Henbury, Bristol. (ST 537782)

In City Museum,Bristol. Ref. F5636.

ExamplesNos. I and 2. Severalfragments.Type R.

Trans. Bristol & Gloucs. Arch. Soc. lxix (I950), p. IIB; p. 21 f. 3. VENTA SILURUM (Cantonal Capital), Caerwent, Gwent. (ST 460goo) Example No. I. Corner fragment. Type R. Archaeologia lxii, 406 and 436-7.

ExampleNo. 2. Almost half of original.Type BF. Found in House XVIIIs, where the threshold was formed by the drum of a column.

4. KEYNSHAM(Villa), Somerdale,Keynsham,Avon. (ST 657694) ExampleNo. I. Cornerfragment.Type R. In site museum. ExampleNo. 2. Fragment.Possibly Type R. Has castellatededge and zig-zag decoration.In
site museum.

Short Guideissuedby Messrs.J. S. Fry and Sons, Ltd. Somerdale.

15Recueil g6n6ral des Bas-Reliefs, Statues, etc, de la Gaule Romaine, ix. (1925), 308. Joel le Gall. Al6sia. Archdologie et Histoire. (1963), 171-2. 16F. Haug. Germania. iii (1919), frontispiece and 107.

176

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Site No. 5. BROCKHAM END (Villa?), North Stoke, Avon. (ST 703692) Examples Nos. I and 2. Fragments, probably Type R. Kingswood School Archaeological Society. Information received. 6. CHURCHIE BUSHES (Villa?), Bawdrip, Somerset. (ST 354396) Large slab. Type R. In Bridgwater Museum. JRS xlvii (I957), 222, pl. vii, 4. 7. TOCKINGTON PARK FARM (Villa), Alveston, Avon. (ST 627856) Complete table-top. Type R. Present whereabouts not traced. Part of column also found. For suggested assembly see FIG.4b. Trans. Bristol & Gloucs. Arch. Soc. xii (I887-8) 162, pl. Ix. 8. NETTLETON SHRUB (Temple and other buildings) Nettleton, Wiltshire. (ST 820760) Example No. I. Fragment. Type R. Edge moulding has chevron decoration, see FIG.3, x. Example No. 2. Fragment. Type R. Example No. 3. Fragment of large proportions, deeply incised. Has no corner evidence. May be Type R. In City Museum Bristol. Report Pending. Information from W. J. Wedlake. 9. CORINIUM DOBUNNORUM (Cantonal Capital), Cirencester, Gloucestershire. (SP 020010) Large part of Type BF table-top. Has moulding around upper edge. Found in town excavations. In Corinium Museum. Io. WOODHAM FARM (Villa), Kings Worthy, Hants. (SU 480330) Fragments. Type R. In Winchester City Museum. Proc. Hants. Field Club xviii, 63. JRS xv (1925), 243. I I. VENTA BELGARUM (Cantonal Capital), Winchester, Hants. (SU 480290) Two fragments. Type R. From contractor's excavations for Woolworth's building in St. George's Street. Museum reference: WE 58/3. WinchesterExcavations 1949-196o Vol. ii. Advance information. 12. WHITSBURY (Villa?), Rockbourne, Hants. (SU 130190) Three fragments of a slab from Glebe House, donated to the Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum by Major Philip Currie. Acc. No. 161/1935. Possibly Type R. 13. CAMERTON (Major Settlement), Camerton, Somerset. (ST 680560) One almost complete slab and a smaller fragment were found in Building VIII. In the same building were found a dwarf column-base and statuette. The slab has an edge-moulding. Type R. W. J. Wedlake, Excavations at Camerton, Somerset. 64, 66 and 214. pl. XIVa. 14. ALLARDS QUARRY (Villa?), Marnhull, Dorset. (ST 790190) Example No. I. Fragment. Type R. Example No. 2. Large part of a 'rough-out' or undecorated slab. Type R. Both of the above are in the Local History Museum, Gold Hill, Shaftesbury. C.B.A. Calendar Summaries (1966). 15. WHITTINGTON (Villa), Whittington, Glos. (SP 010200) Fragment of Type R table-top and column. Trans. Bristol & Gloucs. Arch. Soc. lxxi (1952), 86, pl. xIII a and b. PARK (Villa), Rockbourne, Hants. (SU 110170) WEST I6. Almost complete table-top with elaborate decoration on edges. The upper face is also decorated. Type R. In site museum. West Park Villa Report (Available in the museum). PLS.VI B, VI C Information from the late A. T. Morley Hewitt. 17. CALLEVA ATREBATUM (Cantonal Capital), Silchester, Hants. (SU 640620) Example No. I. In Bath stone. Example No. 2. In Purbeck marble. Both from the Forum Basilica. Type R. Fox Collection. (Society of Antiquaries of London) Box 4. (Sheets 37 and 67 respectively). G. C. Boon, Silchester; the Roman Town of Calleva (I974), II6, and 323, n. 28.

ROMANO-BRITISH

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177

Site No. 18. OLD BARN (Villa), Wincanton, Somerset. (ST 700280) Complete slab. Type R. Also baluster. See FIG.4 (Upper). Proc. Somerset. Arch. Nat. Hist. Soc. xvi (1870), 14 and illustration. I9. HOLCOMBE (Villa), Uplyme, Devon. (SY 310920) Apparently complete, but the description does not allow type to be identified. Also from the site, a fine-grained Beer limestone pillar, height 2 ft. io in. (87 cm). Archaeologia xlv (188o), 463-4. 20. GLEVUM (Colonia), Gloucester, Glos. (SO 830180) Fragment. Type R. Signs of castellations. From Bon March6 site. In Gloucester City Museum. 21. HINTON ST MARY (Villa), Hinton St Mary, Dorset. (ST 780160) Two examples which are fragments only; type uncertain. There is a double bank of decoration which includes a triscel. British Museum Quarterly. xxxii (1967), 23, pl. Ix. 22. CHEDWORTH (Villa), Chedworth, Glos. (SP 050130) Example No. I. Fragment. Plain bevelled edge. On site. Example No. 2. Fragment. Fluted edge. On site. Both are probably Type R. 23. KINGSCOTE (Major Settlement), Newington Bagpath, Glos. (ST 800950) Examples Nos. I, 2 and 3. All fragments, probably Type R. On site. Excavations still in progress and report pending. Site guide issued. Information from Kingscote Achaeological Association.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I am grateful to the many people who responded to my questionnaire and desire to record particular gratitude to the following. The late A. T. Morley Hewitt, owner and curator of the West Park Villa, Fordingbridge, who from the start showed much interest and supplied PL. VI B, VI C Nos. I and 2; the Director and staff at the City Museum, Bristol, for PLS.VIIA, VIIB; the Director and Staff at the Mus6e Alsia, Alise-SainteReine, for sending detailed information about tables in their area. This included a photograph on which FIG. 5 is based for which I thank the Soci6t6 des Sciences historiques de Semur-en-Auxois. After this paper had been written, the excavations in the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem came to my notice. Mrs Yael Israeli, Curator of the Israel Museum, kindly sent to me a copy of the excavation report relating to the Herodian buildings where column-supported tables with decorated edges were found." Finally, I am most grateful to Mr G. C. Boon, who was responsible for the Kings Weston Park excavations where a table-top was found. He has led me to other examples and encouraged me to complete the foregoing account.

7 Downfield Close, Alveston, Bristol.

(1976), 19.

17 N.

Avigad. Archaeological Discoveries in the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem-Second Temple Period,

PLATE VI

(Photo: R. Wilkins)

A. Templeof Sulis Minervaat Bath: the Gorgon Pediment,detail of the ornament(p. 106).

(Photo: A. T. Morley Hewitt)

B. Stone Table-topNo. 16 from West Park Villa, Rockbourne,Hants. (p. 169). Scale c. 1:6.

(Photo: A. T. Morley Hewitt)

C. The same, showing decorationon surface(p. 169).Scale c. 1:7.

PLATE VII

Mn
........

M.M

(Photo: City Museum, Bristol)

A. Stone Table-top No. 1 (1) from Gatcombe,Avon (p. 169).

:i~

........

..........

(Photo: City Museum, Bristol)

B. Stone Table-top No. 1 (2) from Gatcombe, Avon (p. 175).