DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6910#0011
ARCHITECTURAL
ANTIQUITIES OF GREAT BRITAIN,
Screen tn CmoartJ tf)e Confessor's Cfjapei,
WESTMINSTER ABBEY CHURCH.
This elegant specimen of decorated ancient architecture serves to divide the
high altar of Westminster Abbey Church from the chapel or oratory of Edward
the Confessor. Respecting the period when it was erected and ornamented,
I have not been fortunate enough to ascertain any date or document: but that
it cannot be of the age ascribed to it by Mr. Hawkins,* is very evident, from
the style of its arches, pedestals, canopies, &c. That gentleman unequivocally
states that the Screen, with its sculptured frieze, &c. were made in 1296, and
attributes them to Pietro Cavilini: but when we compare the highly and mi-
nutely-wrought tracery and tabernacles of this relic, with the beautiful, but
less decorated architecture of the Queen's Crosses, we cannot hesitate a moment
in referring the former to a much later period. But the precise time, I believe,
is not publicly recorded, and we must endeavour to obtain a directing-clew from
its style. The whole collectively displays the most florid and elaborate specimen
of enriched architectural dressings: as the upper parts of the canopies are crowded
with crockets and fynials ; and the mouldings of the arches assume the ogee-
shape. The soffits of these canopies are also covered with a delicately groined
tracery, and at the centre of each was a pendant, of similar shape, &c. to those
hanging beneath the roof of Henry the Seventh's Chapel. Hence I am induced
to conclude that it was not finished before that king's reign. The whole of this
* In Carter's *' Ancient Sculpture," &c. this gentleman has written a long dissertation on this subject.
B. VOL. I.
ANTIQUITIES OF GREAT BRITAIN,
Screen tn CmoartJ tf)e Confessor's Cfjapei,
WESTMINSTER ABBEY CHURCH.
This elegant specimen of decorated ancient architecture serves to divide the
high altar of Westminster Abbey Church from the chapel or oratory of Edward
the Confessor. Respecting the period when it was erected and ornamented,
I have not been fortunate enough to ascertain any date or document: but that
it cannot be of the age ascribed to it by Mr. Hawkins,* is very evident, from
the style of its arches, pedestals, canopies, &c. That gentleman unequivocally
states that the Screen, with its sculptured frieze, &c. were made in 1296, and
attributes them to Pietro Cavilini: but when we compare the highly and mi-
nutely-wrought tracery and tabernacles of this relic, with the beautiful, but
less decorated architecture of the Queen's Crosses, we cannot hesitate a moment
in referring the former to a much later period. But the precise time, I believe,
is not publicly recorded, and we must endeavour to obtain a directing-clew from
its style. The whole collectively displays the most florid and elaborate specimen
of enriched architectural dressings: as the upper parts of the canopies are crowded
with crockets and fynials ; and the mouldings of the arches assume the ogee-
shape. The soffits of these canopies are also covered with a delicately groined
tracery, and at the centre of each was a pendant, of similar shape, &c. to those
hanging beneath the roof of Henry the Seventh's Chapel. Hence I am induced
to conclude that it was not finished before that king's reign. The whole of this
* In Carter's *' Ancient Sculpture," &c. this gentleman has written a long dissertation on this subject.
B. VOL. I.