DOI article:
Chrzanowska, Katarzyna: Boazerie w prezbiterium kościoła pod wezwaniem św. Jana Chrzciciela w Skalbmierzu
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.51255#0063
decorative elements in the panelling and those located on the cabinet doors in
the sacristy were composed according to a similar pattern, applying a ąuadrilateral
element with a marked four-part division, which is a simplified form of a flower
bud, with a stylized leaf having one axis of symmetry in the centre. Similarly,
decorative elements composed of strongly stylized and simplified leaf with one
axis of symmetry and a smali bali at the centre, were placed in the backrests
of the choir stalls, between the openings in the picture frames and the corners
of the fields designated by carved, vertical, gilded garlands of flowers. In all listed
elements of the churchs furnishings, this particular fragment of decoration is
always gold-plated. In the sacristy, the elements are smali and refined in detaiL
The elements decorating the panelling are larger and not as detailed, although
the composition scheme is maintained. The link between the elements decorating
the choir stalls and the decoration of the sacristy cabinets as well as the panelling is
also indicated by positioning them in analogous areas, where they fili out openings
in the paintings’ frames. The maintenance of the panelling on the Southern side
of the chancel confirms that the ornamental elements in question were carved in
1907. Since the scalę of the damage to the panelling caused by the fire is unknown,
the thesis that the artist responsible for fitting this decorating element of the
churchs furnishings after the fire - in the face to of the main altar having been
destroyed - modelled his work on the appearance of the cabinets in the sacristy,
or the choir stalls, the later having a high significance to the overall appearance
of the Skalbmierz church interior. Conservation of the panelling on the north
side of the chancel might help to reveal whether these elements are related to
the decoration of the panelling in the chancel before the fire.
Our attention is drawn to the painting decoration covering the panelling on
the north side as well as the organ gallery. In the panel at the end of the panelling
from the side of the sacristy door, against a light brown background, an antique
decoration had been painted, depicting a leaf-entwined trivet, with a bowl placed
upon it. The painting is symmetrical, schematic, devoid of chiaroscuro modelling,
and it brings to mind patterns madę using a template. A very similar decoration
is found in the panels on the balustradę of the organ gallery. Against the light
brown background, two types of patterns were painted. The first is composed
of a lyre placed in the centre, from which floral lines stretch towards the edges
of the panels. In the centre of the second type of the pattern, there is a bowl
standing on three legs, which marks the beginning for two foliated scrolls with
flowers. Both compositions have a single vertical axis of symmetry.
Prior to recent conservation, the panelling on the south side of the chancel
was painted dark brown and decorated with painted panel decoration, following
the pattern seen on the panelling on the opposite side of the chancel. In addition,
the choir stalls in the church chancel were painted dark brown before conserva-
tion. In three panels in each part of the back rests in the lower row of seats that
were painted lighter brown than the structure of the wood, and now covered
with marbling, there was a painted decoration. In the extreme panels at each
side, this was a system of simplified and geometricized foliated scrolls, having
two symmetry axes. The central panel was filled with a symmetrical representa-
tion of a vessel and two foliated scrolls. The centrally placed vessel had the form
of a one-legged bowl with a decorative lid. Also the panel of the choir stall part
adjacent to the rood beam in the chancel arch was painted in the same colour as
62
ARTICLES
Katarzyna Chrzanowska
the sacristy were composed according to a similar pattern, applying a ąuadrilateral
element with a marked four-part division, which is a simplified form of a flower
bud, with a stylized leaf having one axis of symmetry in the centre. Similarly,
decorative elements composed of strongly stylized and simplified leaf with one
axis of symmetry and a smali bali at the centre, were placed in the backrests
of the choir stalls, between the openings in the picture frames and the corners
of the fields designated by carved, vertical, gilded garlands of flowers. In all listed
elements of the churchs furnishings, this particular fragment of decoration is
always gold-plated. In the sacristy, the elements are smali and refined in detaiL
The elements decorating the panelling are larger and not as detailed, although
the composition scheme is maintained. The link between the elements decorating
the choir stalls and the decoration of the sacristy cabinets as well as the panelling is
also indicated by positioning them in analogous areas, where they fili out openings
in the paintings’ frames. The maintenance of the panelling on the Southern side
of the chancel confirms that the ornamental elements in question were carved in
1907. Since the scalę of the damage to the panelling caused by the fire is unknown,
the thesis that the artist responsible for fitting this decorating element of the
churchs furnishings after the fire - in the face to of the main altar having been
destroyed - modelled his work on the appearance of the cabinets in the sacristy,
or the choir stalls, the later having a high significance to the overall appearance
of the Skalbmierz church interior. Conservation of the panelling on the north
side of the chancel might help to reveal whether these elements are related to
the decoration of the panelling in the chancel before the fire.
Our attention is drawn to the painting decoration covering the panelling on
the north side as well as the organ gallery. In the panel at the end of the panelling
from the side of the sacristy door, against a light brown background, an antique
decoration had been painted, depicting a leaf-entwined trivet, with a bowl placed
upon it. The painting is symmetrical, schematic, devoid of chiaroscuro modelling,
and it brings to mind patterns madę using a template. A very similar decoration
is found in the panels on the balustradę of the organ gallery. Against the light
brown background, two types of patterns were painted. The first is composed
of a lyre placed in the centre, from which floral lines stretch towards the edges
of the panels. In the centre of the second type of the pattern, there is a bowl
standing on three legs, which marks the beginning for two foliated scrolls with
flowers. Both compositions have a single vertical axis of symmetry.
Prior to recent conservation, the panelling on the south side of the chancel
was painted dark brown and decorated with painted panel decoration, following
the pattern seen on the panelling on the opposite side of the chancel. In addition,
the choir stalls in the church chancel were painted dark brown before conserva-
tion. In three panels in each part of the back rests in the lower row of seats that
were painted lighter brown than the structure of the wood, and now covered
with marbling, there was a painted decoration. In the extreme panels at each
side, this was a system of simplified and geometricized foliated scrolls, having
two symmetry axes. The central panel was filled with a symmetrical representa-
tion of a vessel and two foliated scrolls. The centrally placed vessel had the form
of a one-legged bowl with a decorative lid. Also the panel of the choir stall part
adjacent to the rood beam in the chancel arch was painted in the same colour as
62
ARTICLES
Katarzyna Chrzanowska