Bell's Cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of Hereford: A Description of Its Fabric and a Brief History of the Episcopal SeeFisher, A. Hugh (Alfred Hugh)
History
Bell's Cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of Hereford: A Description of Its Fabric and a Brief History of the Episcopal See
Fisher, A. Hugh (Alfred Hugh)
Hereford Cathedral
A variety of foliage and flowers has been worked in thin plates of copper
and hammered iron, in imitation of natural specimens, and throughout the
screen the passion flower is prominent in the decoration. It is composed
of 11,200 lbs. of iron, 5000 lbs. of copper and brass, 50,000 pieces of
vitreous and other mineral substances in the mosaic panels, and about 300
cut and polished stones. There are also seven bronze figures, three single
figures, and two groups. Of these the _Times_, May 29, 1862, well said:
"These figures are perfect studies in themselves. Every one can understand
them at a glance, and from the centre figure of Our Saviour to those of
the praying Angels, the fulness of their meaning may be felt without the
aid of any inscriptions beneath the feet to set forth who or what they
are."
[Illustration: SECTION THROUGH TOWER AND TRANSEPTS.]
SECTION THROUGH TOWER AND TRANSEPTS.
The eastern side of the screen, though without statuary, is no less worthy
of inspection. Over the gates the large oval space is filled with the
sacred monogram I.H.C. The base consists of polished Devonshire marble.
The diversity of tint of the metals used is in itself a source of colour,
but the whole of the hammered iron-work of the foliage has been painted
with oxides of iron and copper, while the colour scheme is further carried
out in the mosaics.
The whole effect is certainly beautiful, and the screen is perhaps the
best example of this kind of work produced in modern times. The cost of
the screen was £3000, though the sum paid by the Chapter in accordance
with their agreement was only £1500. The same firm, the Skidmore Art
Company, who made it, also supplied the large corona and gasfittings.
A brass eagle presented by the Misses Rushort to the Cathedral, is placed
near the south-west corner of the screen; it was designed by Cottingham.
*The Central Tower.*—Immediately above the four great arches of the
central tower, the interior walls are, says Professor Willis in his report
on the Cathedral, "Of a very singular construction; twelve piers of
compact masonry on each side, beside angle piers, are carried up to the
height of 26 ft., and connected half-way up by a horizontal course of
stone, in long pieces, and by an iron bar, which runs all round
immediately under this bonding course. Upon these gigantic stone gratings,
if I may be allowed the expression, the interior wall of the tower rests,
and they also carry the entire weight of the bell-chamber and bells.
The whole space is now completely open from the floor of the Cathedral to
the wooden floor of the bell-chamber, which is painted underneath in blue
and gold. From this floor hangs, the handsome corona of wrought iron.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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