Cathedral to auction off south window stonework

Unique pieces of landmark’s history to go under the hammer

The chance to own a unique piece of Canterbury Cathedral’s history is being offered at an unusual auction next month.

More than 140 lots of stone from one of the city landmark’s largest windows are to go under the hammer on Saturday, September 24.

The stone was removed from the Great South Window during major conservation work, with the pieces being auctioned ranging in size and shape from large garden ornaments to smaller samples suitable for featuring in a home.

Many date back to when the Gothic-style window was built in the early 15th Century and retain the detailed carving and markings of the stonemasons who have worked on the window over the centuries.

After a fall of stone in 2009 identified serious structural problems, much of the huge 16-metre high and seven-metre wide window has had to be rebuilt in one of the largest projects of its kind ever undertaken in Europe.

Extensive work by the Cathedral’s own stonemasons and stained glass conservators is now nearing completion and the team has restored the structure to one that will again hold the world-renowned, early medieval stained glass depicting the biblical ancestors of Christ.

The Cathedral’s head of conservation, Heather Newton, said: “It is very exciting to know that we are about to reach that time when we can see again the stone which has the appearance of being seemingly weightless and will again let light flood back into the building.

“The rebuilding has been an incredible experience to be part of. We have learned so much and we have been able to share that learning with other cathedrals.”

The auction has been organised by the Canterbury Cathedral Trust – an independent charity which supports the Cathedral and has helped meet the unexpected cost of replacing the window by raising £2.5 million from private and charitable sources.

The money raised from the auction will go towards future conservation work, ensuring the Cathedral’s legacy.

Canterbury Auction Galleries will be running the sale and supporting the event by not charging auctioneer’s fees.

Its general manager, David Parker, said: “This sale is such an historic venture and we are extremely pleased to have the opportunity to be involved with the Cathedral.”

The auction is at the Cathedral Stonemasonry yard, Shalloak Road, Canterbury, from 2pm to 4pm on Saturday, September 24.

Viewing will be from 2pm to 5pm on September 17 and 18 and on the day of the sale from 10am to 3pm.

Entry will be by £10 catalogue, which will be published on September 1 and available from the Canterbury Cathedral Shop in Burgate.

The Cathedral stonemasonry yard and, below, samples of the stone to be auctioned