Beverley Crozier

Description

This crozier head is made of walrus ivory. It is carved in relief with inhabited foliated scrolls, mainly animals and birds, on the upright. The volute has three dimensional scenes, carved within it, on either side. One side shows two standing figures and one seated figure with the central figure touching the mouth of the seated figure. This is thought to refer to St John of Beverley (d. 721), Bishop of Hexham, curing a dumb boy. The reverse scene may relate to the Harrowing of Hell. The outer edge of the volute bears two incised inscriptions but they are indecipherable.