Page:The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth century (1887) - Volume 2.djvu/377

 STOBHALL 361 FOURTH PERIOD The painted ceiling of the chapel is most interesting, and beautifully executed (Fig. 810). Formerly it cut across the top of the gable window but has been altered so as to allow the complete window to be visible in the manner shown by the interior view, and the panels taken out have been fixed against the opposite wall. The ceiling is divided by four cross beams into five com- partments. These compartments contain each two subjects of figures on horseback. Beginning at the end next the door the subjects represented are " REX MAURI- TAN.E " (mounted on an elephant, and having three Indian attendants), " PRESTER JOHN," " REX HUNGARLE," " IMPRATOR TVREARY," "REX SVEVLE," " REX HISPANLE," "REX MAGN.E BRITANNLE," " REX POLONLE," " IM- PERATOR GERMANIC," "REX GALLLE," and the Drummond arms, with the motto "GANG WARILY." Besides the above each compartment comprises three floriated ornamental panels, and a panel at each end containing a paint- ing of an animal. The ground of the ceiling is white. The kings, horses, and figures are painted in natural colours, the horses being black, brown, and grey. The panels have yellow- borders separated by dark lines. The three ornamental panels in each compart- ment have a green centre, with leaves, roses, etc., outlined in a reddish chocolate colour. Jhe sides of the beams have mostly green grounds, and white stencilled ornaments. The bed moulding is coloured with blue and dull red ornaments alternately. In a compart- ment beneath is painted a row of cal traps (or cheval-traps) spiked balls, which were thrown on the ground for defence against cavalry, with the appropriate motto "Gang warily." Ascending the staircase we reach the hall (see Plan of First Floor)^ a small room, 17 feet 1 inch by 15 feet 2 inches, with a fireplace elaborately covered with rude carving (Fig. 812), quite in the style of what is to be found in country churchyards on tombstones of the sixteenth and seven- teenth centuries, in the centre of which are the Drummond arms, with supporters and motto. Entering off the hall there is a small room over the porch, and another room off the stair landing with a circular cor- belled turret on the outer angle. Adjoining the main staircase a small STOUP Fio. 809. Stobhall.