The ‘Mostyn Christ’, a rare, life-sized figure, which is housed at St Deiniol’s Cathedral in Bangor, has been featured as one of fifty remarkable treasures cared for by cathedrals in England and Wales.
The figure dates from the late 15th or early 16th century and represents the last moments before the crucifixion; examples of this type known as the ‘Bound Rood’ are extremely rare in Wales. The almost life-sized figure wears a crown of thorns and the attitude and expression reveal extreme weariness.
According to the Mostyn Estate Website, “The Mostyn Christ is one of the most iconic religious representations surviving from 15th century Wales and now on display at Bangor Cathedral, the Mostyn Christ is an item shrouded in mystery.
“The wooden carving of the bound Christ seeks to reflect the meaning of the passion through the intense depiction of human suffering and the symbolic inclusion of a skull at the feet of Christ.
“Certainly, by the early 19th century the item was in the possession of the Mostyn family at Gloddaith hall. Nevertheless, the origin of the rood has been subject to intense debate over the years with suggestions including Maenan abbey, Gwydir chapel, Rhuddlan friary and the chapel at the residence of the Catholic Pue family at Penrhyn. Alternatively, it is possible that the item was rescued by the Mostyn family sometime during the Reformation.”
The ’Fifty treasures. Fifty days’ 2022 winter campaign showcases the treasures and glories of Britain’s cathedrals.
An Anglo Saxon portable sundial, the Magna Carta, a pair of 15th century pilgrim boots, a pre-Raphaelite painted altarpiece by Dante Rossetti, the Tree of Life painting and the first Bible in the Welsh Language – are just some of the other 50 remarkable artefacts cared for and preserved by cathedrals in England and Wales that will feature in the social media campaign based on the new publication Deans’ Choice: Cathedral Treasures of England and Wales.
The campaign revels in this latest illustrated volume by Janet Gough, a lecturer and advisor on historic churches and cathedrals, which tells the story of the treasures from 44 Church of England cathedrals and six cathedrals from the Church in Wales – each one chosen by the Dean or senior clergy of the cathedral featured.
The book is available here. https://www.cpo.org.uk/product.aspx?prod=Z4336BT-R&cat=3794
One treasure will be revealed every day for 50 days and will end with the launch of a competition to name Britain’s favourite cathedral treasure to coincide with Heritage Fund’s Heritage Treasures Day. Read all about the campaign here.
