St. Peter, Mithian
Description of the Glastonbury chair:
The Celebrated Glastonbury Chair
Glastonbury chairs have become famous the world over since they were first made 500 years ago by John Arthur, a monk at Glastonbury’s distinguished Abbey.
He made them from a description brought back from Rome by Abbot Bere, an emissary of Henry Ⅷ, and they were probably the first chairs to be used in the Abbey, as stools and benches were the normal furniture.
These chairs are now made by local craftsmen in workshops adjoining the Abbey, the burial place of King Arthur. Nearby, in St. John’s Church, is one of the two surviving chairs made by John Arthur. Compare these true reproductions with the original, both have been made from local oak, have clearly defined Latin inscriptions and contain geometrical patterns thought to be related to astromasonry.
Glastonbury chairs are ideal for presentation to churches, or for adding character and atmosphere to the home. By removing the wooden wedges they can be collapsed and packaged with ease.
By tradition Glastonbury is known as the Isle of Avalon, the birthplace of Christianity in Britain. It was here that Joseph of Arimathea, who had Jesus taken from the Cross and put in his own sepulchre, first brought the Christian message and the “Holy Grail” cup of the last supper. The Holy Thorn tree, which is said to have originated from Joseph’s staff, still blossoms “miraculously” twice a year in St. John’s churchyard and the Christmas blossom is sent each year to the Queen and Queen Mother from the people of Glastonbury.
Carving details
The latin inscriptions on the chair read: Johanes Arthurus (John Arthur), Monacus Glaftonie (Monk of Glastonbury), Saluet eu Deus (May God Save Him), Da pacem Domine (Give him peace O Lord), Sit Laus Deo (Praise be to God).
The square on the centre back of the centre panel was a symbol of the Earth (hence the four corners of the Earth before it was established that the earth was round). The triple triangle represents the trinity, the circle is the symbol of unity (without end) and the leaf motif on the back of the top rail is a symbol of life.
Height: 35 inches; Width: 28¼ inches, Depth: 21½ inches; Weight 56 lb.
St. Peter, Mithian
Description of the Glastonbury chair:
The Celebrated Glastonbury Chair
Glastonbury chairs have become famous the world over since they were first made 500 years ago by John Arthur, a monk at Glastonbury’s distinguished Abbey.
He made them from a description brought back from Rome by Abbot Bere, an emissary of Henry Ⅷ, and they were probably the first chairs to be used in the Abbey, as stools and benches were the normal furniture.
These chairs are now made by local craftsmen in workshops adjoining the Abbey, the burial place of King Arthur. Nearby, in St. John’s Church, is one of the two surviving chairs made by John Arthur. Compare these true reproductions with the original, both have been made from local oak, have clearly defined Latin inscriptions and contain geometrical patterns thought to be related to astromasonry.
Glastonbury chairs are ideal for presentation to churches, or for adding character and atmosphere to the home. By removing the wooden wedges they can be collapsed and packaged with ease.
By tradition Glastonbury is known as the Isle of Avalon, the birthplace of Christianity in Britain. It was here that Joseph of Arimathea, who had Jesus taken from the Cross and put in his own sepulchre, first brought the Christian message and the “Holy Grail” cup of the last supper. The Holy Thorn tree, which is said to have originated from Joseph’s staff, still blossoms “miraculously” twice a year in St. John’s churchyard and the Christmas blossom is sent each year to the Queen and Queen Mother from the people of Glastonbury.
Carving details
The latin inscriptions on the chair read: Johanes Arthurus (John Arthur), Monacus Glaftonie (Monk of Glastonbury), Saluet eu Deus (May God Save Him), Da pacem Domine (Give him peace O Lord), Sit Laus Deo (Praise be to God).
The square on the centre back of the centre panel was a symbol of the Earth (hence the four corners of the Earth before it was established that the earth was round). The triple triangle represents the trinity, the circle is the symbol of unity (without end) and the leaf motif on the back of the top rail is a symbol of life.
Height: 35 inches; Width: 28¼ inches, Depth: 21½ inches; Weight 56 lb.