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Gargoyles aloft at Gloucester Cathedral
Gargoyles aloft at Gloucester Cathedral
5th October 2010
A king, a peasant, a ram, a goat and a sea-monster will appear on the walls of Gloucester Cathedral when five new gargoyles are installed on 11th October.
The gargoyles are part of the South Aisle Restoration project - a five-year project costing £750,000 which is due to be completed in spring 2012.
In total, 13 new gargoyles will be carved for the South Aisle. Already in position are the Wolf, the Lion, the Old Beggar, the Young Boy and the Bird. The five new gargoyles are the Sea Monster, the Mad King, the Gloucester Peasant, Lady Goat and Sir Ram. Still to come are a Mother and Baby Salamander, a Young Maiden and a Young Man.
The gargoyles were designed by the Cathedral's Master Mason Pascal Mychalysin. Inspired by Psalm 148, his designs illustrate the creatures of the earth praising the Lord. All the gargoyles are sponsored by generous donors.
"Carving gargoyles is a rare opportunity for us to express ourselves creatively," said Pascal, "We are stonemasons and builders, not trained sculptors. But I am sure our medieval counterparts didn't go to art school, so we are carrying on that tradition."
The gargoyles will be positioned thirty-five feet high on the South Aisle. They are each three feet long and one foot thick. A crane will lift them onto the buttresses where they will be mortared into position. It will take around one hour to install each gargoyle.
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