Ely Cathedral Choir Stalls.
Illustration:
Rochester Cathedral Choir Stalls.
Text and Illustration: ROCHESTER CATHEDRAL
Charles Tracy studies the exceptional Early- 13th-Century Choir Stalls and associated timber furniture, with drawings and carpentry notes by Cecil Hewett. Featured in The Friends of Rochester Cathedral Annual Report for 1994-1995.
The survival of Choir-Stalls before the 14th-Century in Northern Europe is a great rarity. In Germany, there are some 12th-Century seats at Ratzeburg, near Lübeck.
Such survivors from the Early-Gothic period, as there were
by the 18th-Century in France, Belgium, and Germany, were either replaced with Baroque furniture, or succumbed to the depredations of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic periods.
Some of the fine Early 13th-Century Choir Stalls from Lausanne Cathedral still huddle inappropriately and uncertainly in the South Nave Aisle.
In France, one can only point to the Mid-13th-Century Choir Stalls in the small Abbey Church of Notra Dame de la Roche, Le Mensil Saint Denis, South of Paris.
In England, a complete set of Choir Stalls of this period survive at Salisbury Cathedral, and three Oak Columns with Stiff-Leaf Foliage, possibly from an Early-Gothic set of Choir Stalls at Peterborough Abbey.
A complete set of Choir Stalls, albeit of almost entirely 18th-Century workmanship, and dating from as early as circa 1227, is found at Rochester Cathedral.
Lincoln Cathedral Choir Stalls.
Text and Illustration: FLICKR/AIDAN McRAE THOMSON
Lincoln Cathedral has a strong claim to being England’s finest Mediæval building, being one of the most ambitious and beautifully designed and adorned Cathedrals in Europe, a real masterpiece of Gothic architecture.
The Cathedral also boasts some of the finest Mediæval woodwork in the Country in its superb Choir Stalls, extensively carved with Canopies with Misericords (though, sadly, the latter are rarely on show).
Bristol Cathedral Choir Stalls.
Illustration: HEATHER ON HER TRAVELS
Photo: 13 March 2008.
Source: Own work.
Uploaded by: NotFromUtrecht
Author: Heather Cowper from Bristol, UK
(Wikimedia Commons)
The following Text is from Wikipedia.
The three rows of Choir Stalls are mostly from the Late-19th-Century, with Flamboyant traceried ends. There are also twenty-eight Misericords, dating from 1515 to 1526, installed by Robert Elyot, Abbot of Saint Augustine’s, with carvings largely based on Aesop's Fables.[62]
Salisbury Cathedral Choir Stalls.
Illustration: PINTEREST
Durham Cathedral Choir Stalls.
Text and Illustration: DURHAM CATHEDRAL
Bishop John Cosin commissioned the Choir Stalls
lining the North and South Walls of the Quire (Choir)
in the Mid-17th-Century.
After a Century of conflict and war, the Cathedral showed signs of damage. Most of the woodwork had been burned by Scottish Prisoners-of-War, trying to keep warm while imprisoned here in 1640.
In 1665, Cosin commissioned architect James Clement of Durham to design new Choir Stalls in a style that was unique to County Durham.
The design included Gothic Canopies, likely to be inspired
by the Neville Screen, nearby. The Columns that hold up
the Canopies are slender and decorated at the top
with Scroll shapes.
Some of the Stalls in the Quire (Choir) are reserved for senior members of the Cathedral Foundation and Latin inscriptions show where their seats are.
There are also Latin inscriptions along the base of the front rows, based on Psalm 150 and which link praising Godwith music: “Praise him for his mighty acts: Praise him according to his excellent greatness . . . Praise him with the timbrel and dance: Praise him with stringed instruments and organs”.
The seats in the back rows have carved Misericords or “Mercy Seats” beneath. These provide a seating ledge, used for a quick rest from standing during lengthy Services.
Underneath the Misericords are detailed carvings, often depicting Religious scenes and stories or mythical creatures.
The only Mediæval Misericord at Durham Cathedral
dates from the 13th-Century, and shows the Eagle of
Saint John the Evangelist.
Maulbronn Monastery, Germany.
Text and Illustrations: MAULBRONN MONASTERY
Maulbronn Monastery (Kloster Maulbronn) is one of Europe’s most complete and best preserved Mediæval monasteries.
It combines a multitude of architectural styles,
from Romanesque to Late-Gothic.
The Gothic Choir Stalls are directly behind the East Choir Screen, offering seating for ninety-two Monks.
Elaborate carvings adorn the Stalls, which originated in the Mid-15th-Century. The Stalls were disassembled and re-assembled during restorations in the 19th-Century.
The reliefs along the sides of the Choir Stalls warrant a closer look. The Master Carver responsible for this work is unknown.
Perhaps he was one of the Wood Carvers associated with famous Ulm Sculptor, Hans Multscher. There is other Carved artwork to be discovered on the Stalls: Several students from the Evangelical Monastic School have carved their names here.
The Abbot was seated on the Sedilia in the Choir, flanked to the Right and Left by Deacons. This prominent Seat was considered part of the Choir Stalls and was reserved for the most important members of the Monastery.
The Late-Gothic Seat is decorated with bands depicting numerous animals and mythical creatures. To either side are Coats-of-Arms belonging to the Monastery Founders and the Monastery, itself. The tall Side Panels are adorned with
Fruit-Bearing Grapevines.
Choir Stalls, Basilica Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, Venice.
Stalles de la basilique Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, Venise.
Basilica Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari à Venise.
Photo: 19 August 2014.
Source: Own work.
Author: Jean-Pol GRANDMONT
(Wikimedia Commons)
17th-Century Choir Stalls, Pontigny Abbey, France.
Stalles dans l’abbatiale de Pontigny, France.
Photo: 14 April 2013.
Source: Own work.
Author: Michel FOUCHER
(Wikimedia Commons)
Illustration showing 14th-Century Choir Stalls
at Andlau Abbey, Alsace, France.
16th Century (1856) by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc (1814-1879).
This File: 13 January 2014.
User: Vieux têtard
(Wikimedia Commons)
Photo: 29 September 2016.
Source: Own work.
Author: José Luiz.
Attribution:
© José Luiz Bernardes Ribeiro /
(Wikimedia Commons)
What a magnificent review of excellent woodworks of art I’m these choir stalls, thank you, Zephyrinus! Beautiful wood, beautiful woodwork, beautiful finish. (Perkins and Jeeves will be inspired!)
ReplyDeleteThis is a hard vote, because the Bristol Cathedral choir stalls are not only elegant, but they have lovely lamp lights to illuminate the reading of the office. And Lincoln Cathedral choir stalls exhibit consummate artistry.
But this reader must absolutely praise the choir stalls of the Basilica of “Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari,” Venice. Absolutely, beautiful woodwork, finish and color. Transfixing. -Comment by Dante P
Thank you, Dante P, for your welcome contribution.
DeleteSuffice to say that you have chosen as your favourite the same Choir Stalls as Zephyrinus's favourite: The Choir Stalls of the Basilica of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, Venice.
As you rightly say, the colour is extraordinary. The workmanship unbelievable. And with such dedication and commitment to providing The Lord with the proper respect and dedication.
Indeed, a most difficult choice among so many worthy contenders (Lincoln, Bristol, etc), but Venice is the choice.