Statuary of the West Front of Salisbury Cathedral

This article presents the statues to be found on the Great West Front of Salisbury Cathedral, in Salisbury, England. It names all the statues and their dates of installation, sculptors where known, and the attributes and identifying features of the statues. There are photographs of the statues with an enumerated photograph to show their position on the façade.

Statues

There are 79 figures on the Great West Front.

  • 7 are from the 14th century, of which two were modified in the mid-18th century.[1]
  • 63 were installed between 1867 and around 1871 from the workshops of James Redfern.[2]
  • 5 were installed in the 20th century.
  • 4 were installed in the 21st century.

Display scheme

The overall scheme is divided into six tiers.[3] The niche numbering system works from left to right (north to south) as viewed from the west, and from top to bottom. The four lower tiers begin on the north face of the north turret and continue around onto the south face of the south turret; only the lower two tiers have statues on the north face.

Tier 1: The Vesica

Niche No.StatueDate InstalledSculptorAttributes or identifying featuresPhoto
West Front showing niche numbers.
8Christ in Majesty?1867James RedfernHolding an orb in the left hand. Right hand missing some fingers.
Christ in Majesty.
23Eagle of St Johnc. 14th centuryAnonShowing a nimbus and holding a phylactery.
Eagle of St John the Evangelist.


Tier 2: The Angels

8Standing archangel?1867James RedfernHolding an orb and staff.
Standing Archangel in niche 8
14Seated angel?1867James RedfernHead missing, playing a harp.
Angel in niche 14
19Seated angel1999Jason Battle [4]Right hand raised to chest
Angel in niche 19
26Seated angel2000Jay Battle [5]Holding a crown.
Angel in niche 26
31Seated angel?1867James RedfernFace damaged, holding an open scroll.
Angel in niche 31
37Standing archangel?1867James RedfernMissing right hand, orb in left hand.
Archangel in niche 37

Tier 3: Old Testament Patriarchs and Prophets

49King David1869James RedfernRight hand supporting a harp.
King David
50Moses1869James Redfern'Horns' of light on head, holding the Tablets of the Law.
Moses
51Isaiah1869-70James RedfernScroll in right hand, left hand across chest.
Isaiah
52Jeremiah1869-70James RedfernScroll in left hand, right hand raised to chest.
Jeremiah
53Ezekiel1869-70James RedfernLooking to left, open scroll in right hand.
Ezekiel
56Abraham1867-69James RedfernKnife in right hand, left hand missing.
Abraham
59Noah1867-69James RedfernHolding a model Ark in left hand, right hand missing.
Moses
61JobAfter 1870AnonOpen scroll in left hand showing his name.
Job
62DanielEarly 20th centuryAnonOpen book in left hand, lion at right side.
Daniel
65Samuel1869James RedfernLeft hand holding beard, right hand raised.
Samuel
66King Solomon1869James RedfernHead missing, sceptre in right hand, bag hanging from belt.
King Solomon


Tier 4: Apostles

79St Jude1867-69James RedfernHands together at chest, halberd leaning against body.
St Jude
80St Simon1867-69James RedfernHolding a long saw.
St. Simon
81St Andrew1867-69James RedfernHolding a small saltire cross
St. Andrew
82St Thomas1867-69James RedfernBoth hands across chest holding a builder's square.
St Thomas
86St Peter?early 14th centuryAnonBoth lower arms missing, a disc (the handle of one of his keys) below the right arm, Weathered appearance.
St Peter
89St Mark the Evangelist1870 or later?James RedfernOpen book in left hand, pen in right hand, lion at feet.
St Mark the Evangelist
90St Matthew the Evangelist1870 or later?James RedfernOpen book in left hand, pen in right hand, angel at feet.
St Matthew the Evangelist
91St Luke the Evangelist1869-70?James RedfernClasped book in left hand, pen in right hand, ox head and forelegs by left leg.
St Luke the Evangelist
92St John the Evangelist1869-70James RedfernClasped book in right hand, a cup with an eagle in the left hand, an eagle at his feet.
St John the Evangelist
95St PaulEarly 14th centuryAnonHolding an upright sword in right hand, left arm missing, clothing detail obscured by protective coating.
St. Paul
99St James the Less1867-69James RedfernFuller's club held in left hand.
St James the Less
100St James the Great1867-69James RedfernPilgrim's staff in right hand, forehead and hat damaged.
St James the Great
101St Bartholomew1867-69James RedfernHolding a knife in right hand.
St. Bartholomew
102St Matthias1867-69James RedfernHands at chest holding a staff.
St. Matthias

Tier 5: Doctors, Virgins and Martyrs

116St PatrickAfter 1870James RedfernOn north face. Holding a crozier and dominating a snake at his feet.
St Patrick
119St Ambrose1867-69James RedfernWearing a mitre, staff in left hand.
St Ambrose
120St Jerome1867-69James RedfernWearing a wide brimmed hat, a book in the left hand and a model church in the right hand.
St. Jerome
121St Gregory1867-69James RedfernWearing a papal tiara, a dove on the right shoulder and a sceptre in the left hand.
St. Gregory
122St Augustine of Hippo1867-69James RedfernWearing a mitre, a crozier supported on left wrist. Flaming heart in right hand
St Augustine of Hippo
124St Aldhelm2001.[6]Jay Battle[6]Supporting a harp at his feet.
St. Aldhelm
125St Remigius of Rheimsc. 1873?James RedfernWearing a mitre, right hand raised in benediction left hand holding a book, crozier in left elbow.
St Remigius of Rheims
129St John the Evangelist14th centuryAnonRight hand raised, bird on shoulder, clothing detail obscured by protective coating.
St John the Evangelist
132St Barbara1868James RedfernHolding martyr's palm in right hand, open book in left hand, small castle behind right leg.
St Barbara
133St Katherine?1868James RedfernSupporting a long sword with the left hand, wheel behind legs.
St Katherine
134St Roch?1868James RedfernRevealing the plague mark on left thigh, a small attentive dog sits in front.
St Roche
135St Nicholas?1868James RedfernWearing a mitre, left hand is missing, right hand holding three 'golden' balls, lower part of a staff remains.
St Nicholas
136St George?1868James RedfernA shield on left elbow, sword supported by left hand, right hand holding head of dragon.
St George
137St Christopher?1868James RedfernCarrying the Christ Child on the left shoulder, right hand supporting a large staff.
St Christopher
138St Sebastian?1868James RedfernArms tied behind his back, pierced with three arrows.
St Sebastian
139St Cosmas?1868James RedfernLeft hand on hip holding clothes, right hand hold cuboid box.
St Cosmas
140St Damian?1868James RedfernRight hand raised, left hand holding a pestle and mortar.
St Damian
141St Margaret of Antioch?1868James RedfernHolding a crucifix in the left hand, looking down at the dragon at her feet
St Margaret of Antioch
142St Ursula?1868James RedfernThe remains of a martyr's palm in the right hand, an arrow in the left hand.
St Ursula
145St John the BaptistEarly 14th centuryAnonSupporting an agnus dei roundel on right hand, wearing an animal skin. Badly weathered.
St John the Baptist
150St Stephen1869-70James RedfernRemains of a martyr's palm in left hand, some stones in right hand.
St Stephen
152St Lucy1867-69James RedfernA lamp in the right hand, a dagger in the left hand.
St Lucy
153St Agatha1867-69James RedfernRight hand holding a pair of tongs, left hand on her chest.
St Agatha
154St Agnes1867-69James RedfernRight hand supporting a lamb, left hand resting on lamb.
St Agnes
155St Cecilia1867-69James RedfernLooking upwards, supporting a portable organ, a plait of hair on the left shoulder.
St Cecilia

Tier 6: Worthies belonging to the English Church, many with a local connection

166Deacon Martyr, ?St BirinusEarly 14th centuryAnon: Head by RedfernOn north face, both lower arms missing. Badly weathered.
?St Birinus
167St EtheldredaAfter 1869James RedfernOn north face. Holding model church on right arm, staff in left hand.
St Etheldreda
168King Henry VI?Early 20th centuryAnonOn north face. Fleur-de-lis sceptre in right hand, orb in left hand.
King Henry VI
169Bishop BridportMid-14th centuryAnonHands missing, left arm supporting a staff.
Bishop Bridport
170Bishop Poore1868-69James RedfernRight arm supporting a model of Salisbury Cathedral, left hand holding a short staff.
Bishop Poore
171King Henry III1868-69James RedfernRight hand holding a headless sceptre, left hand missing.
King Henry III
172St Edmund of CanterburyEarly 20th centuryAnonRight hand raised in benediction, left hand holding a staff. Name on plinth.
St Edmund of Canterbury
173Bishop Odo of Ramsbury1867James RedfernRight hand raised,fingers missing. Left hand holding chalice with wafer showing.
Bishop Odo of Ramsbury
174Canon Ezra Baya Lawiri2008[7]Jason Battle,[8]Pen in right hand, book in left hand.
Ezra Baya Lawiri
177Bishop Kenc. 1930-31Allan G. WyonRight hand raised in benediction. Left hand holding a tall crozier.
Bishop Ken
178St. Osmund?1878James RedfernRight hand holding two books. Left hand holding a staff.
St Osmund
180Angel of the Annunciation, Archangel Gabriel1870James RedfernHolding some ?lilies in left hand, right hand raised in benediction.
Angel of the Annunciation
181Standing Virgin Mary1870James RedfernWith a nimbus, missing right hand, remains of lilies on right shoulder. Left hand on chest.
Virgin Mary
182Virgin of the Annunciation1870James RedfernSitting in profile, with a nimbus, holding a book.
Virgin of the Annunciation
183Censing Angel1870James RedfernInside main porch. Right profile holding a censer and chains.
Censing angel
184Virgin and Child1870James RedfernInside main porch.
Virgin and Child
185Censing Angel1870James RedfernInside main porch. Left profile holding censer and chains.
Censing Angel
187Bishop Brithwold?1868James RedfernRight hand missing. Remains of left hand holding remnants of a crozier
Bishop Brithwold
188Rev. George Herbert2000Jason BattleHands across chest, looking down.
George Herbert
192St Alban1867-69James RedfernRight hand missing. Left hand missing. Left arm supporting a sceptre. Large damaged area from midriff to left foot.
St Alban
194St Alphege1867-69James RedfernClothing lifted to support stones. Stone on right shoulder and on right side of mitre.
St. Alphege
195St Edmund the Martyr1867-69James RedfernRight hand holding clothes at chest. Dagger in left side of chest.
St. Edmund the Martyr
196St Thomas of Canterbury1867-69James RedfernDamaged right hand raised in benediction. Left hand holding a staff. (Damaged) dagger through skull from right.
St. Thomas of Canterbury

References

  1. Ayers. T., 2000 (Salisbury Cathedral: The West Front:A History and Study in Conservation.) pages 191-247. Philimore, ISBN 1860771521-1-86077-152-1.
  2. Ayers. T., 2000. pages 191-247.
  3. Armfield, HT., 1869, (The Legend of Christian Art:Illustrated in the Statues of Salisbury Cathedral.) Brown & Co./Simpkin, Marshall & Co. pages 18-27.
  4. Ayers, T., 2000, p. 214.
  5. Ayers, T., 2000, p. 214.
  6. Tatton-Brown, T. & Crook, J. 2009 (Salisbury Cathedral: The Making of a Medieval Masterpiece.) Scala Publishers Ltd. ISBN 978-1-85759-550-5. page 1.
  7. https://web.archive.org/web/20090529053904/http://www.salisburycathedral.org.uk/services.reflections.previous.php?id=66
  8. "Statue marks two anniversaries (From Salisbury Journal)". www.salisburyjournal.co.uk. Retrieved 2010-02-01.
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