The Cosmatesque Mosaics of Westminster Abbey: The Pavements and Royal Tombs: History, Archaeology, Architecture and Conservation,Used

Westminster Abbey contains the only surviving medieval Cosmatesque mosaics outside Italy. They comprise: the Great Pavement in the sanctuary; the pavement around the shrine of Edward the Confessor; the saints tomb and shrine; Henry IIIs tomb; the tomb of a royal child, and some other pieces. Surprisingly, the mosaics have never before received detailed recording and analysis, either individually or as an assemblage. The proposed publication, in two volumes, will present a holistic study of this outstanding group of monuments in their historical architectural and archaeological context.The shrine of St Edward is a remarkable survival, having been dismantled at the Dissolution and reerected (incorrectly) in 1557 under Queen Mary. Large areas of missing mosaic were replaced with plaster on to which mosaic designs were carefully painted. This 16thcentury fictive mosaic is unique in Britain. Conservation of the sanctuary pavement was accompanied by full archaeological recording with every piece of mosaic decoration drawn and colored by David Neal, phase plans have been prepared, and stonebystone examination undertaken, petrologically identifying and recording the locations of all the materials present. It has revealed that both the pavements and tombs include a range of exotic stone types. The Cosmati study has shed fresh light on every aspect of the unique series of monuments in Westminster Abbey; this work will fill a major lacuna in our knowledge of 13thcentury English art of the first rank, and will command international interest.Table of ContentsThe PavementsList of figuresForeword by The Very Reverend Dr John Hall, Dean of WestminsterPrefaceAcknowledgementsSummary1. The cosmatesque pavements and monuments: introduction and contextHistorical and architectural contextThe mosaic assemblage2. Historiography and the antiquarian recordEarly references, 1269c. 1700Descriptions and illustrations of the pavements and monuments, 17071925The pavements and monuments in recent scholarship3. The sanctuary and high altar pavements: past interventions, damage and repairPaving the sanctuary: an historical overviewThe cosmatesque sanctuary pavementInstallation of the Whitehall altarpiece, 170607Sir George Gilbert Scotts restoration of the sanctuary, 1859714. Description of the sanctuary pavementPurbeck marble matrixDetailed description of the decorationThe frame inscriptionsEarly repairs to the Cosmati pavement by Paul DruryPhasing: construction, alteration and repair5. Surveying, analyzing and evaluating the sanctuary and high altar pavementsPreparatory studiesCondition and conservation trials, 199398 by Vanessa SimeoniGroundpenetrating radar surveys, 200405 by Erica Carrick UtsiThe archaeology beneath the pavements: an assessment6. Conservation and repair of the sanctuary pavement by Vanessa SimeoniIntroductionRecording and the sanctuary pavement archiveMaterials in the pavementCleaningLaser cleaningRemoval of cement patchingPurbeck marble: deterioration and treatmentStone tesserae: damage and treatmentGlass tesseraeRestoration of the western border panelCase study: the central medallionSurface finishConclusions and postconservation care7. St Edward the Confessors chapel pavementPast interventions and damageThe Purbeck marble matrixDetailed description of the pavementGroundpenetrating radar surveys of the high altar and St Edwards chapel pavements, 2005 by Erica Carrick UtsiThe archaeology beneath the chapel floor8. Materials employed in the pavements and monumentsAntiquarian petrologyThe stone types by Kevin HaywardGlass: analysis of samples from the sanctuary pavement by Ian FreestoneMetals employed in the pavements and monumentsAnalysis of mastic resin on the sanctuary pavement by Ruth SiddallAnalysis of the pasteinlaid tesserae by Ruth SiddallMortars used in the sanctuary pavement by Ruth SiddallNotes to chapters 1 to 8Plans 1 and 2 (foldout