Sunday, August 2, 2009

Dorchester, Oxfordshire


More nogging

Sorting through my photographs of Dorchester after doing the previous post, I found this image of yet more elaborate brick nogging. It is on the front of the White Hart Hotel, an interesting-looking building, one of many in this small but fascinating Oxfordshire town that has no doubt been remodelled and modified over many centuries.

The entry in Pevsner’s Oxfordshire in his Buildings of England series notes the date in the brickwork, but suggests that the building is much older than 1691. Probably the timber frame was put up long before this date and the infill replaced with brickwork in 1691, different-coloured bricks being used to bring out the pattern and the numerals. If so, this is an example of how one should never treat a date on a building at face value – it’s as likely to commemorate a restoration or remodelling as the original date of the building.

8 comments:

martin said...

Let me get this clear: Nogging is laying bricks at odd angles in order to create a pattern.Using bricks of varying shades to make a pattern is known as..Decorated Brickwork?
I think there are examples of the latter at Hampton Court.
There might be nogging as well,but I probably didn't look closely enough.

Thud said...

I am about to embark upon a large restoration in the next week and I would like to date it in some way,something a little less obtrusive than above may be in order.

Philip Wilkinson said...

Martin: Nogging is the word used for filling up the gaps between timbers with brickwork – it doesn't have to be laid in a fancy pattern, but it often is.

Thud: It's a nice idea to date your restoration. I agree, great big numerals like the ones on the White Hart Hotel only work in certain contexts. I'm sure you'll find a way that fits in with the style and materials of your building.

Bucks Retronaut said...

I`m not altogether sure that herring-bone nogging is purely decorative.When I was having a timber framed end wall of an old cottage rebuilt it was recommended as the tightest way to infill the the panels and give them a bit of added stiffness.
What I am sure about is that it cost me much more to have it done that way as it was far more labour-intensive.Still ,it does look lovely,and I have to look at it every day.Didn`t someone once say "Quality is remembered long after the price is forgiven" ?

Hmmm,Not just yet it ain`t !

Philip Wilkinson said...

Ah, I see. By adjusting the angle of the herringbone, you can ensure that the aperture is tightly filled. I suppose.

martin said...

Apologies for being so dense. I've just realised that everything I needed to know is contained in the first paragraph of Nogging 1. I should have paid more attention-a sentiment that has been echoed by countless teachers down the years.

Peter Ashley said...

I love nogging of all sorts. One of my favourite examples is that used on the Aldeburgh's Moot Hall in Suffolk.

Philip Wilkinson said...

Yes, the Moot Hall is a classic.