Panel thumbnail 1
Panel thumbnail 2
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Sacred Silver & Stained Glass, Room 84, The Whiteley Galleries

Panel

ca. 1190 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The lower levels of the apse and choir of Lyons Cathedral in France were built between about 1175 and 1193. The two angels originally formed two halves of the top of a lancet (pointed) window in a chapel on the north side of the choir. In its present state the window is a mixture of medieval glass and 19th-century replacements. This is often the case with surviving medieval windows, because of losses over time and deliberate destruction. In the 19th century, many churches in France were restored and some surviving medieval glass was removed and replaced by copies.

Because of this restoration work we do not know the original subject matter of the window that these angels came from. It seems to represent some episodes from the lives of both St Peter and St Paul. In its present state the central image at the top of the window has an image of Christ seated, holding the keys that he gave to St Peter. The angels in the present window are copies.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Panel
  • Panel
Materials and techniques
Clear, coloured and flashed glass with painted details
Brief description
Clear and coloured glass with painted details depicting two figures of angels. Originally from Lyons Cathedral. Made in France (Rhone), c.1190
Physical description
Ogival panel from a lancet window. Two kneeling angels originally flanking a subject, within a border of foliage.
Dimensions
  • Height: 67cm
  • Width: 33cm
  • Framed height: 722mm (Note: left panel, assumed 5465:1)
  • Framed width: 356mm (Note: left panel, assumed 5465:1)
  • Framed depth: 32mm (Note: left panel, assumed 5465:1)
  • Framed height: 722mm (Note: right panel, assumed 5465:2)
  • Framed width: 361mm (Note: right panel, assumed 5465:2)
  • Framed depth: 32mm (Note: right panel, assumed 5465:2)
Gallery label
TWO ANGELS These angels came from a window in a chapel on the north side of the choir at Lyons Cathedral. The window was dedicated to scenes from the Life of St Peter, but much of the glass has been lost and replaced with 19th-century panels. The angels belonged at the summit of the window and flanked a figure of Christ. The face of the angel on the left is a 13th-century stopgap (insertion). France (Lyons), about 1190 Museum nos. 5465:1 and 5465:2-1858((PW) 2003)
Object history
From a window dedicated to scenes from the Life of St. Peter in a chapel on the north side of the choir at Lyons Cathedral. Much of the glass in the cathedral was replaced in the 19th century.
Historical context
The lower levels of the apse and the choir of Lyons Cathedral in France were built between about 1175 and 1193. The two angels originally formed two halves of the top of a lancet (pointed) window in a chapelon the north side of the choir. The window in its present state is a mixture of medieval glass and 19th century replacements. This is often found in surviving medieval windows as much has been lost over time and by deliberate destruction. In the 19th century, many churches in France were restored and some surviving medieval glass was removed and replaced by copies.

Because of this restoration work the original iconography of the window that these angels came from is not as clear. It seems to represent some episodes from the lives of both St. Peter and St. Paul. In its present state the central image at the top of the window has an image of Christ seated, holding the keys which he gave to St.Peter. The angels in the present window are copies.
Production
Originally from the Cathedral of Lyon in France.
Subject depicted
Summary
The lower levels of the apse and choir of Lyons Cathedral in France were built between about 1175 and 1193. The two angels originally formed two halves of the top of a lancet (pointed) window in a chapel on the north side of the choir. In its present state the window is a mixture of medieval glass and 19th-century replacements. This is often the case with surviving medieval windows, because of losses over time and deliberate destruction. In the 19th century, many churches in France were restored and some surviving medieval glass was removed and replaced by copies.

Because of this restoration work we do not know the original subject matter of the window that these angels came from. It seems to represent some episodes from the lives of both St Peter and St Paul. In its present state the central image at the top of the window has an image of Christ seated, holding the keys that he gave to St Peter. The angels in the present window are copies.
Bibliographic references
  • Williamson, Paul. Medieval and Renaissance Stained Glass in the Victoria and Albert Museum. London, 2003. ISBN 1851774041
  • Louis Grodecki, Le vitrail francais, Paris, 1958
  • L. Begule, Monographie de la Cathédrale du Lyon, Lyon, 1880
  • L. Begule, La cathédrale de Lyon, Paris, 1939
  • Louis Grodecki, 'Un groupe de vitraux francais de XIII siecle', in Festschrifts fur Hans Hahnloser zum 60 Geburtstag 1959, Basle, 1961, pp.289-298
  • C. Brisac, 'La Verriere du Champs-Prés-Foges', Bulletin monumental de l'Academie Delphinale, October 1973, pp.204-211
  • Les Vitraux de Bourgogne, Franche-Comté et Rhone-Alpes, CVMA France, Recensement 3, Paris, 1986
Collection
Accession number
5465:1&2-1858

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJuly 28, 1998
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest