York Minster stone & wood auction

A section of a roof boss from the south transept damaged in the 1984 fire but still retaining paint and gilding.
A section of a roof boss from the south transept damaged in the 1984 fire but still retaining paint and gilding.

After the devasting fire in York Minster in 1984 the scorched roof timbers and wooden ceiling bosses were stored under York city walls.  Today, just over 30 years later, York Minster auctioned some of these amazing 14th century pieces of carved oak, alongside beautiful stone masonry replaced during Minster renovations.

It was a privilege to be present at the auction and we were lucky to obtain a plain piece of oak roof timber from the south transept which we hope to carve and turn into new forms.

Detail of carved 14th century York Minster timber damaged in the 1984 fire up for auction in 2014.
Detail of carved 14th century York Minster timber damaged in the 1984 fire up for auction in 2014.
Some of the stone lots up for auction.
Some of the stone lots up for auction.

About the author

%d