An Arabesque sounds like a slightly exotic word to describe medieval imagery in Devon churches. And you'd probably be right to think that. However, there is a convention amongst art historians to classify European decorative arts from the Renaissance as Arabesque.

The term Arabesque derives from the Italian word arabesco meaning "in the Arab style". This style was popularised by Raphael when he and other artists painted the Vatican Loggia during 1519. They used Greek and Roman grotesque art as inspirations as found in some of the ancient Roman palaces. Grotesques would be a better description for these Renaissance images.

So why are these arabesques motifs found on 3 Devon rood screens - Blackawton, Chivelstone and South Pool? One answer is that they were non figurative and ostensibly secular and so didn't excite the venom of the iconoclasts. But some of the designs might seem strange to include within an English church. However, the style was fashionable and there are a number of examples of church furniture being carved in this style during this period (eg. Landcross, Bideford, Sandford, Lapford).

The designs are whimsical and often humourous.