Friday, December 28, 2012

Chester Cathedral

Also known as Cathedral Church of Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary, the current building dates back to the 13th century.


The building underwent a major restoration in 1868-76 by G.G. Scott, leading to its current high Victorian look.


A Salviati mosaic of The Last Supper from 1876 designed by J.R. Clayton decorates the high altar.


Salviati mosaics can also be found in the St. Erasmus Chapel of the cathedral.

Sources:
British Listed Buildings
Chester Cathedral
Colin Sabin's flickr Photostream
“The New Mosaic Reredos in Chester Cathedral.” The Art Journal (1875-1887) 2 (1876): 351.

Thursday, December 27, 2012

St. Andrew's Episcopal Church

St. Andrew's was built 1876-80 after designs by architect Alexander Ross of Inverness.


An arcaded reredos lines the east wall with three Gothic cusped arches on each side of the altar framing a low relief and gablet of a Salviati mosaic of the Crucifixion.



Salviati is also believed to have manufactured the mosaic floors of the 1880 Baptistry.


Sources:
St. Andrew's Church, Fort William
British Listed Buildings
The Scottish Episcopal Church
St. Andrew's Fort William flickr Photostream

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

St. John the Apostle Torquay

Built 1861-73, G.E. Street designed this church that Nikolaus Pevsner called "one of the leading centres of late C19 Anglo-Catholicism".


Church nave with Salviati mosaics on the North aisle on the left of the picture.


North aisle mosaics: scenes from the life of St. John


  



Sources:
Nikolaus Pevsner, "Buildings of England: Devon," London: 1952-1989: P.849
British Listed Buildings

Friday, December 21, 2012

St. Paul's Cathedral

St. Paul's Cathedral in central London, designed by Sir Christopher Wren and built between 1675-1710,  contains several Salviati mosaics under its grand dome.


In 1862, the first two of eight decorated spandrels were commissioned.



Isaiah, designed by Alfred Stevens, was installed in 1864.


Matthew, based on a design by G.F. Watts, was installed in 1866.


The four Evangelists (from left to right): Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.


The designs for Jeremiah and John were also began by Watts, while those for Ezekiel and Daniel were by either Watts or Stevens. However, neither man was able to bring the work to completion, so they were finished by W.E.F. Britten, along with his own designs for Mark and Luke.  They were manufactured in Venice in 1893.

The four Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel.



Sources:
Barr, Sheldon. Venetian Glass Mosaics: 1860-1917. London: Antique Collectors’ Club Ltd., 2008. 20-21.
St. Paul's Cathedral History
Explore St. Paul's Cathedral
St. Paul's Cathedral Virtual Tour
Christian Image Source

Thursday, December 20, 2012

St. Curig's Church

Opened in 1883, this church in Wales by architect G.M. Roberts has now been converted to a Bed and Breakfast, but its original Salviati mosaics have been preserved.


The composition depicting Christ surrounded by angels that is located in the former apse can still be seen in the space now used as a dining room and guest area.


The mosaic is thought to have been commissioned by William Edward Sackville-West, the estate manager to Lord Penrhyn, in memory of the former's wife and was based on cartoons by Clayton and Bell.


Sources:
Bed and Breakfast Capel Curig
Capel Curig Tourist Information
Barr, Sheldon. Venetian Glass Mosaics: 1860-1917. London: Antique Collectors' Club, 2008. 125.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Gonville and Caius Chapel Cambridge

This 14th century chapel's gallery was extended in 1870 by Alfred Waterhouse in a Byzantine style that is unique to the structure.


Five mosaics by Salviati that are located behind the altar in the new east apse depict incidents from the Bible involving teaching.



The prophet Samuel being tutored by Eli.


The finding of the scroll of the Law in the Temple by Josiah.


The boy Jesus disputing with the scribes in the Temple. 


Jesus teaching Martha about eternal life near the tomb of Lazarus.




Christ in glory surrounded by his disciples can be found on the chapel ceiling.



Sources:

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

All Saints' Church Farley

The 17th century church by Sir Christopher Wren was restored in 1874 by architect Ewan Christian. At that time, Salviati added a reredos of inlaid marble tile and mosaics that was designed by W.F. Dixon. 


The altar reredos depicts the four gospels: Luke (a winged bull), Mark (a lion), Matthew (an angel) and John (an eagle).


Sources:
All Saints' Church, Farley
British Listed Buildings
Astoft