St Peter carved figure set to return to York Minster
An intricate carved figure of St Peter will be returned to its prominent position above the Great East Window at York Minster over the next few weeks, marking a major milestone in the five year York Minster Revealed restoration and conservation project.
The stone figure is one of the largest on the exterior of York Minster and has been carved to interpret the original figure, eroded by centuries of wind and rain.
The seated figure of St Peter will sit above the Great East Window, which itself is the largest expanse of medieval stained glass in Europe. As part of the York Minster Revealed project, all of the masonry around the window is being carefully conserved or replaced.
The original figure, which was removed earlier this year, was badly eroded, so stone carvers, academics and historians spent months not only researching who or what the figure would have been, but also how it may have looked.
“This is an iconic figure that sat in pride of place above an iconic window, so its importance as part of York’s history and York Minster’s appearance cannot be underestimated,” comments York Minster’s Superintendent of Works, Rebecca Thompson. “Whilst we do not have any detailed drawings of the original figure, we’ve brought our internal research together with leading historians, archaeologists, theologians and academics to determine what this figure should look like, using sketches and drawings and creating a clay model before the carvers started work on the stone blocks.”
The figure has been produced by a team of three stone carvers working at York Minster’s Stoneyard in Deangate, and designed by the Assistant to the Master Mason, Martin Coward. It is made from three individual blocks of stone, especially imported from a quarry in France, and has taken nearly four months to complete. Each section will be lifted from the banker (the carver’s bench) and transported across to York Minster, to be raised in the hoist on the exterior of the scaffolding. Installation will take around ten days, as the craftsmen ensure it is positioned accurately in pride of place at the top of the Great East Window.
“Even though this marks the completion of a very important part of the conservation work, most people will not see the results for another three years, as the scaffolding will remain in place until 2016,” comments the Very Reverend Vivienne Faull, Dean of York. “It will be wonderful to have this figure reinstated to the exterior of the cathedral which is named in his honour – although most people know the building as York Minster, its full name is the Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of St Peter in York.”
York Minster regularly hosts ‘behind-the-scenes’ tours of the East End works, which enable visitors to take the lift to the top of the scaffold, when they can see the intricate detail of the carvings up close. For more information, please visit www.yorkminster.org. Other visitors, who might not have such a head for heights, can enjoy watching the masons at work at the Masons’ Lodge, adjacent to the South Piazza, or find out more about the life of the masons, carvers and glaziers in the exhibitions within the East End of York Minster. This also affords visitors the opportunity to see some of the medieval stained glass artworks, carefully restored by York Glaziers’ Trust, up close in the Orb, before they are returned to the window itself.
The Great East Window restoration and conservation is part of the York Minster Revealed project, one of the largest conservation project of its kind in Europe. The £20 million scheme aims to conserve, restore and interpret York Minster inside and out, and includes the new Revealing York Minster visitor attraction located in the Undercroft and the new Piazza outside the South Doors. The ongoing works will be completed in 2016.
For more information about York Minster, please visit www.yorkminster.org
ENDS
Notes to photographers: Once the figure is in place above the Great East Window, photographers will be invited up to capture images of the dedication ceremony. This is likely to take place in mid-November 2013. If you would like to attend, please contact Jay Commins on 01904 500698.
About York Minster Revealed
The York Minster Revealed project is a five-year project scheduled for completion in early summer 2016. It is the largest restoration and conservation project of its kind in Europe. The cost of the whole York Minster Revealed Project is £20 million, of which £10.5m has been generously supported with a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). The remainder of the fund has been raised by York Minster.
State-of-the-art multi-media galleries, new displays of historic collections and interactive interpretations will create new learning opportunities for all ages. Also improved access to the South Transept, Undercroft, Treasury and Crypt will totally transform the experience of visiting York Minster.
About the Heritage Lottery Fund
Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) aims to make a lasting difference for heritage, people and communities across the UKand help build a resilient heritage economy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported almost 35,000 projects with more than £5.3bn across the UK. www.hlf.org.uk. For more information, please contact Katie Owen, HLF press office, on tel: 020 7591 6036/07973 613820.
For further media information or images, please contact:
Jay Commins
Tel: 01904 500698
Email: jay@pyperyork.co.uk
or
Leanne Woodhurst / Pamela Anthony
Tel: 01904 557248 / 01904 559545
Email: leannew@yorkminster.org or pamelas@yorkmin
