FOR SALE BY PRIVATE TREATY
An altar in the Gothic Revival style, third quarter of the 19th century,
possibly French, in white flecked marble with gilt & polychrome painted
decoration & detailing, the rectangular moulded edge top surmounted
by a stepped back with flat capped corner capitals, each with decorative
panels & inset coloured glass “gems” & a central
tabernacle surmounted by three gilt metal fleur-de-lis to the architectural
pediment above a well-painted blind Gothic arch and frieze, inset glass
cabochon "gems" & a door with pierced brass mounts & overlay
with the lamb in relief against a blue ground; to the front & resting
on the plinth base are two substantial columns with gilt metal pediments & bases,
between these in well painted Gothic niches interspersed by columns stand
three gilt spelter figures, the central figure is of Christ enthroned,
to his right stands Saint Louis, King of France (in addition to holding
his customary crown of thorns, he has a hand-topped staff as depicted
in his portrait by El Greco), to Christ`s left stands a queen or saint
holding an orb & purse - she may represent Margaret of Provence or,
more likely, Queen Blanche of Castile, the mother of King Louis. 79” wide.
39” deep. 38” to the table top. 78” high. (all dimensions
are approximate).
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By repute, this altar which displays Pugin influences,
but which may well be French, was reputedly commissioned for a private
chapel in Paris by a Mrs Mackay (the areas between the niche arches each
bear the possible monogram A.M.). Subsequently from about 1902 (& certainly
by 1911) it was in the chapel of Beaumont College (formerly St. Stanislaus
College), Old Windsor – one of three public schools maintained
by the British Province of the Jesuits & with many distinguished
alumni ranging from Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, the architect, to Jaime
de Borbon y de Borbon Parma, Carlist claimant to the throne of France.
The motto of the college was “Aeterna non Caduca” (the eternal,
not the earthly). The chapel housed this altar together with a fine rose
window centred with the medallion of the Holy Ghost. Built in 1870, it
was redecorated in 1902 by Joseph Hansom whose style was described as
the “grandchild
of Pompeian”. It is believed that this chapel may have been the
inspiration to Evelyn Waugh for the Marchmain family chapel in “Brideshead
Revisited”. The college closed in 1967 at which time the altar
passed to the private family home of the present vendors.
Personal viewing
may be arranged at the house by prior appointment with the auctioneers.
The purchaser will be given reasonable time to arrange professional insured
dismantling & removal of the altar, again strictly
by prior appointment.
Enquiries - 01228 528939
