12
Apr
2023
Pompilidae
Submitted by walwyn
The Pompilidae are a family of solitary wasps consisting of some 5000 species.
22
Sep
2009
Pontlevoy - St. Pierre
Submitted by walwyn
Quatrefoils dated 1278-1300, retelling Biblical stories carved around the Portail des Libraires of Rouen Cathedral.
The portal of St Firmin opens into the north aisle of Amiens Cathedral. The tympanum shows the discovery of his remains outside the city, and their transport to the cathedral.
The tympanum of St Stephen at Bourges cathedral was constructed by 1240, and is above one of the five portals at the west end of the cathedral. The tympanum is made up of three sections. The lowest section depicts Stephen being made one of the seven deacons of the early church. Above that is his martyrdom, and on top of all is an image of Christ as Salvator Mundi.
The southern most portal on the western façade of Bourges Cathedral is dedicated to St Ursinus (or Ursin), a 3rd century figure, the first Bishop of Bourges.
The portal of St Anne on the right of the western façade was built in 1200 and is the earliest of the three portals to be built. The tympanum is actually dated to about 1150 and was once part of the earlier cathedral of St. Stephen whose western façade was once 40 metres to the west of the present Cathedral.
The central doorway was the last of the three portals, of Notre-Dame Cathedral Paris, to be decorated. Work started in about 1230 and consists of Christ in Majesty (showing the marks of the Crucifixion) with the Virgin Mary and St John on either side of him.
This portal of the Virgin, at Notre Dame Paris, was sculpted between 1210 and 1220. The main scene show the Coronation of the Virgin, where Mary is being crowned Queen of heaven by an angel, whilst she sits on the same throne as Jesus. In the lintel below is Mary on her death bed surrounded by Jesus and the twelve aposles, two angels are about to lift her to heaven. In the lower lintel the old testament prophets are holding scrolls prophesying Christ.
23
Mar
2010
Powell & Sons, Whitefriars
Submitted by walwyn
In 1834 the London Wine merchant James Powell (1774-1840) bought the small Whitefriars glassworks just off Fleet Street as a business for his sons. Originally unfamiliar with glass production the company experiemented with different techniques and were soon supply patent glass to other leading stained glass companies and designer as well as making stained glass windows of their own.
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