Wells Cathedral, Organ case and decorations 1857
03.06.1857
In the Taunton Courier “The decorations of the organ pipes were designed by Mr. Salvin under whose superintendence the chief portions of the restoration of the cathedral have been executed. The case is plain in design, presenting but little artistic pretensions, except in the choir front in which there are a few ornamental sculptures. There are on each of the principals of the case figures of angels holding cymbals, trumpets etc. beautifully sculptured in wood. The case was built by Mr. J. Forsyth of London, by whose masterly hands the sculptured ornaments were executed, and who also completed most of the beautiful wood and stone sculptures in the restoration of the church”
Thanks to the help of Peter Crossley, a guide at Wells Cathedral, I have only recently become aware that the current organ case at Wells is a 1974 replacement of the, rather plain, original casing designed by Salvin. The angels have also, possibly, been replaced. The Wells 'story' is that the current gilded, trumpeting, angels are two of the original James Forsyth ones and that the others are in storage ( some photos shown below). I am trying to find more proof, and more images of the original organ...
In the Taunton Courier “The decorations of the organ pipes were designed by Mr. Salvin under whose superintendence the chief portions of the restoration of the cathedral have been executed. The case is plain in design, presenting but little artistic pretensions, except in the choir front in which there are a few ornamental sculptures. There are on each of the principals of the case figures of angels holding cymbals, trumpets etc. beautifully sculptured in wood. The case was built by Mr. J. Forsyth of London, by whose masterly hands the sculptured ornaments were executed, and who also completed most of the beautiful wood and stone sculptures in the restoration of the church”
Thanks to the help of Peter Crossley, a guide at Wells Cathedral, I have only recently become aware that the current organ case at Wells is a 1974 replacement of the, rather plain, original casing designed by Salvin. The angels have also, possibly, been replaced. The Wells 'story' is that the current gilded, trumpeting, angels are two of the original James Forsyth ones and that the others are in storage ( some photos shown below). I am trying to find more proof, and more images of the original organ...
