Archangel Sculpture Rises From Lichfield Nave

The Guardian (UK) ^ | 2-20-2006 | Maev Kennedy

[blam]

Archangel sculpture rises from Lichfield nave

Maev Kennedy
Monday February 20, 2006

Simply red ... the carving of the Archangel Gabriel recently discovered under the nave of Lichfield Cathedral. Photograph: Shelley Stratford

The Archangel Gabriel, his wings still fiery with colour applied over 1200 years ago, has emerged from beneath the nave of Lichfield Cathedral. The Anglo-Saxon carved figure was found when builders, watched over by archaeologists, took up part of the floor of the nave to build a new rising platform for concerts and recitals.

"None of us imagined that the project would provide a priceless gem, with the discovery of a carved stone angel that dates back to the original Saxon church that pre-dates the present Cathedral," said the Cathedral's Dean, Adrian Dorbar.

Any Anglo-Saxon figure sculpture is a rare survival, but the discovery of a virtually complete figure, albeit a broken one, with so much of its original painted surface intact, has astonished archaeologists, and is of international importance. The angel also bears glowing witness to the understanding that the sober white and grey interiors of Europe's historic churches once blazed with colours as lavish as any fairground carousel.

[RonF]

Finally, something worth reading from the Guardian.

[Bahbah]

What a great find.