"Painted Alabaster"

St Marys, Cavendish, Suffolk



Detailed view below

Looking like the sort of thing that would normally be on display in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London the above reredo resides in St Marys church in Suffolk. Although at a first glance it looks as though it could be made of plastic it is actually painted alabaster and dates back to the 16th century. It depicts the crucifixion and a camera just doesn't do it justice. The detail is superb and not expecting to find it, it was a great surprise when i came across it. As a reredo it would have originally been positioned behind the altar but now resides of the north wall of the nave given an uninterrupted view.

It was originally commissioned for the Private chapel of Athelstan Riley, in London and was made in Belgium by Flemish artists. The gold colour is gilding and the brighter colours painted. Many years ago many of our alabaster monuments would have been painted in a similar way colours which have been lost over the years leaving most plain white.

The frame was the work of Ninian Comper and is equally impressive. The full reredo can be seen below.

The church is usually kept open for visiting.