Historic Churches 2021

16 BCD SPECIAL REPORT ON HISTORIC CHURCHES 28 TH ANNUAL EDITION which, nonetheless, gave rise to one of Europe’s greatest ecclesiastical buildings. The front of the cathedral comprises a wealth of decorative stone carvings, from the internationally important Romanesque frieze panels and 17 figure sculptures, through to the exceptional detail of the Romanesque door surrounds and fine 13th-century capitals and bosses. BACKGROUND TO THE HERITAGE LOTTERY PROJECT The last major campaign of repairs on the West Front took place in the 1990s. Following this substantial period of work, however, a number of areas still had to be completed. This included the entire central recess, the 14th-century Gallery of Kings sculptures, the nine southern panels of the Romanesque frieze, and two early 12th-century bishop figures. In 2017 the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) awarded the Dean and Chapter a £12.4 million grant to undertake works to the cathedral. These funds allowed a major restoration and extension project to the former Old Deanery – including a new visitors’ centre – the landscaping of The Dean’s Green, and an intention to complete the conservation of the West Front left unfinished for 40 years. The initial focal point for the NLHF project was the Romanesque frieze, a series of 18 relief carved panels set into the Norman façade. Located 8m (26 feet) above ground either side of the central portal, the panels depict scenes from the Old and New Testaments. The entire Romanesque frieze had been covered with protective boxes in 1982. Although the sculptures in the northern half were uncovered in the 1990s for a conservation programme, finances did not permit extending this to the southern side, which remained boxed in. Between the northern and southern frieze panels is the Gallery of Kings, inserted somewhat indiscriminately into the central portico so that it obscures the top of the arch. These sculptures are an extraordinary example of late 14th century carving, and consist of an unusually homogeneous group of 11 life-sized statues of bearded kings. Each king sits beneath an intricately carved vaulted canopy, and they remained largely undamaged and unrestored. Much of the focus of the cathedral’s conservation department over the last three years has been on cleaning and conserving these two groups of sculptures. EXAMINATION AND CONDITION ASSESSMENT Following the erection of scaffolding at the West Front in 2018, a full assessment and conservation report was undertaken on each sculpture prior to any work commencing. The Gallery of Kings was A section of the southern Romanesque frieze before cleaning showing (left to right) Noah building the ark, Daniel in the den of lions, Noah and family in the ark, the Disembarkation and God’s covenant with Noah The Gallery of Kings sculptures, dating from c1380, is a remarkable and often overlooked set of life-sized statues.