Continental Church Furniture in England: A Traffic in Piety - Hardcover

Charles Tracy

9781851493760: Continental Church Furniture in England: A Traffic in Piety

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 185149376X ISBN 13: 9781851493760

Publisher: ACC Art Books, 1999

This is the first book on the history of the virtually unknown phenomenon of the importation of Continental church furniture into England since the early 19th century. Lavishly illustrated, well over one hundred pieces, from pulpits to choir stalls, are discussed in detail. The taste for this furniture was fuelled by the Romantic medievalising enthusiasm of Augustus Welby Pugin and the Catholic Revival, as well as the eccentric whims of the Anglican Squiresons. It was clandestinely acquired mainly from France and the Low Countries by English antique dealers and other enterprising agents, including architects and the aristocracy, as a result of the catastrophic upheavals of the French Revolution. Surprisingly, much of the furniture is in the Baroque style. The historical setting for this nostalgic explosion is described, as well as an account of some of the more unusual patronage, and the story is pursued into the 20th century. The second half of the book comprises a discussion of the most important specimens in the national collection, and their provenance, as well as a gazetteer of such material throughout England.

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Review:

It is a pleasure to pick up Charles Tracy's book of reference, recommended for casual or specific plundering for information. -- The Art Newspaper, September 2002

Now that it has been published and available for review it must be mentioned again as a quite outstanding contribution to ecclesiological studies. -- Ancient Monuments Society, March 2002

This wealth of works of art is scattered over the country. This book alerts readers to their existence and invites them to go and admire them. -- The Tablet, March 2, 2002

About the Author:

Charles Tracy completed his Ph.D. thesis at the Courtauld Institute on English Gothic choir-stalls. Since then he has extensively researched the largely ignored subject of English medieval church furniture and woodwork. He is the author of the two volume study, English Gothic Choir-Stalls, 1200-1540, and the Catalogue of English Medieval Furniture and Woodwork for the V & A Museum. In addition he has published many articles in learned journals on related topics, from the Watching Chamber at St. Alban's Cathedral to the early 14th century painted screen at Kingston Lacy, Dorset. His interest in Continental church furniture of all periods goes back over ten years and he has made a particular study of the material in Belgium and France.

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