TAA i.3.23.11

                                                        (X)

how the proportions of the tenons in these shrines conform <almost exactly>

with the modern rules relating to this form of joint – <i.e> (i)

“the thickness of the tenon should be about one-third of the

thickness of the material to be jointed; (ii) the width of the

tenon should not exceed five times its thickness.”

          Pairs of Single Tenons – i.e. “two tenons in the same

plane on the same end of one piece of material” –

were almost invariably employed, especially for joining

the panel boards to their vertical members.

          Stub Tenons – i.e. “When a tenon passes only partially

through the material” – were used for securing the vertical

posts of the doorway to the chief beam and sill.

          Cross-grained tongues inserted into corresponding mortises,

at intervals, was the method of fixing the crowning members

on to the under-structure. These tongues were made of a 

hard wood, like oak and Christ’s thorn, or copper alternate.

One of the copper tongues (see fig…) was examined by

D^rs Plenderleith, who found it to be of “copper containing

some tin <(1.54 per cent)> and a little gold (0.07 per cent.).” He also found

“the metal was only superficially oxidised and still bore

traces of the resinous material which had been used to hold

it in position.”

          The mouldings were “stuck” or “planted” on. “A stuck moulding

is worked directly on the solid framing,” and this was the case