A glimpse of the British Museum at Lichfield Cathedral
Lichfield Cathedral has this year partnered up with the British Museum. As part of a reciprocal loan agreement, the St Chad Gospels are now on display in London, and the Cathedral has a new exhibition showcasing items from the museum.
The St Chad Gospels left their home in the Cathedral in August to form part of the ‘Celts: art and identity’ exhibition at the British Museum. It is the first major exhibition to examine the full history of Celtic art and identity, and is organised in partnership with National Museums Scotland. The St Chad Gospels book is believed to be older than the better known Book of Kells. It was most likely created in the 8th century to adorn the shrine of St Chad, who died in Lichfield in 672.
In exchange for the St Chad Gospels, the Cathedral has received a number of items from the British Museum which form an exhibition entitled ‘Books and Literacy in the Age of Saint Chad’. The exhibition illustrates how the decoration of books in Anglo-Saxon times and the way they were used reflected the great value placed on books and literacy. The St Chad Gospels are no longer in their original binding, however some of the exhibits (including The Brandon Plaque, pictured) give clues as to how Anglo-Saxon binding might have looked.
Other items on loan from the British Museum include an 8th century book decoration from Ireland, the Bowleaze Cove Jewel which originally decorated a pointer used to follow the words when reading, a 9th century ring showing an angel holding a book, the 8th century Blythburgh Writing Tablet and a 7th/8th century stylus.
The Very Revd Adrian Dorber, Dean of Lichfield says: “Our partnership with the British Museum is very important to us, and was established during our ‘Holy Writ: modern Jewish, Christian and Islamic calligraphy’ exhibition last year. It’s a great honour to display items from the British Museum, and we hope many people will come to see these artefacts whilst they’re on display here at the Cathedral.”
Both exhibitions will run until 31st January 2016.