Stone Mason's Yard
York Minster's Great East Window, the worlds largest expanse of medieval glass is currently undergoing a £23,000,000 restoration project with all the glass having been removed for cleaning and re-leading and the surrounding stonework being examined and where deemed potentially dangerous removed and replaced, so when the opportunity arose for a guided walk around the nearby Stonemason's Yard and the chance to climb the scaffolding that currently covers the window in order to examine the stone carvings up close, an opportunity that will not occur again for at least 70 years, so as a historian how could I resist?
Great East Window before Restoration Started
The tour started in the the Stone mason's yard where we were greeted with examples of fresh stone blocks recently delivered from the the Quarry at Tadcaster, the same quarry as was used in the building of the Minster 600 years ago, as well as a few examples of completed stones waiting to be installed, replacing those deemed a potential danger in the future
Carvings created 30 years ago for an earlier stage in the ongoing restoration before being found surplus to requirement as plans changed
Yet more carvings awaiting installation
Each stone bears the Runic style mark of the Mason, in earlier times this would have have been used in calculating the wages for each Mason who were paid by the piece.
Resin Molds of previous work created by the masons
A Stonemason at work
Demonstrating the two dimensional metal templates used to create three dimensional carvings, a technique dating from at least 600 years ago when the minster was built.
A master mason with his latest creation a Grotesque which will shortly take its place on the pinnacle that rise either side of the Greats East Window
To be continued
Great East Window before Restoration Started
The tour started in the the Stone mason's yard where we were greeted with examples of fresh stone blocks recently delivered from the the Quarry at Tadcaster, the same quarry as was used in the building of the Minster 600 years ago, as well as a few examples of completed stones waiting to be installed, replacing those deemed a potential danger in the future
Carvings created 30 years ago for an earlier stage in the ongoing restoration before being found surplus to requirement as plans changed
Yet more carvings awaiting installation
Each stone bears the Runic style mark of the Mason, in earlier times this would have have been used in calculating the wages for each Mason who were paid by the piece.
Resin Molds of previous work created by the masons
A Stonemason at work
Demonstrating the two dimensional metal templates used to create three dimensional carvings, a technique dating from at least 600 years ago when the minster was built.
A master mason with his latest creation a Grotesque which will shortly take its place on the pinnacle that rise either side of the Greats East Window
To be continued