Cosmatesque Mosaics of Westminster Abbey: The Pavements and Royal Tombs: History, Archaeology, Architecture and Conservation

Westminster Abbey has the only surviving medieval Cosmatesque mosaics outside Italy, which have never been thoroughly recorded or analyzed. This two-volume publication presents a holistic study of these monuments in their historical architectural and archaeological context, including the unique 16th-century shrine of St Edward. The conservation of the pavement has revealed a range of exotic stone types, and the study will fill a major lacuna in our knowledge of 13th-century English art.

Format: Hardback
Length: 724 pages
Publication date: 30 September 2019
Publisher: Oxbow Books

Westminster Abbey is home to the only remaining medieval Cosmatesque mosaics outside of Italy. These remarkable artworks include the 'Great Pavement' in the sanctuary, the pavement surrounding the shrine of Edward the Confessor, the saints' tomb and shrine, Henry II's tomb, the tomb of a royal child, and several other pieces. Surprisingly, these mosaics have never received detailed recording and analysis, either individually or as an assemblage. This two-volume publication presents a comprehensive study of these outstanding monuments in their historical architectural and archaeological context.

The shrine of St Edward is a remarkable survival, having been dismantled at the Dissolution and re-erected (incorrectly) in 1557 under Queen Mary. Large areas of missing mosaic were replaced with plaster, on which mosaic designs were carefully painted. This 16th-century fictive mosaic is unique in Britain. Conservation of the sanctuary pavement was accompanied by full archaeological recording, with every piece of mosaic decoration drawn and coloured by David Neal. Phase plans have been prepared, and stone-by-stone examination undertaken, petrologically identifying and recording the locations of all the materials present. This research has revealed that both the pavements and tombs include a range of exotic stone types.

The Cosmati study has shed fresh light on every aspect of the unique series of monuments in Westminster Abbey. This work will fill a major lacuna in our knowledge of 13th-century English art of the first rank and will command international interest.

Weight: 4444g
Dimension: 249 x 312 x 34 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789252347