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Cracking the Code: the Warden Abbey Morses, Luxury Metalwork and Patronage at a Cistercian Abbey in the Late Middle Ages

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 July 2011

Michael Carter
Michael Carter*
Affiliation:
Michael Carter, Flat B, 14 Stukeley St, London WC2B 5LQ, UK. Email: michael.carter@courtauld.ac.uk
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Abstract

The three copper-gilt and enamel plaques from Warden Abbey are the most important examples of late medieval metalwork from an English Cistercian abbey. They are currently exhibited at the British Museum and dated to the mid-fifteenth century. A reinterpretation of the monograms decorating the plaques allows their patron to be identified as Abbot Walter Clifton (c 1377–97). An analysis of the plaques’ style and iconography also suggests a late fourteenth-century date. Clifton's personal devotions and an unusual aspect of the plaques’ iconography can be explained by reference to the spirituality of the Cistercian Order. The plaques’ closest parallel is a roundel decorated with the badge of Richard ii. Evidence from inventories and comparison with Continental material suggests that the Warden plaques were, in all probability, morses, used to fasten a cope.

Résumé

Les trois plaques en cuivre doré et émail de l'abbaye de Warden sont les plus importants exemples de travail du métal de la fin de l’époque médiévale provenant d'une abbaye cistercienne anglaise. A l'heure actuelle, elles sont exposées au British Museum et datées au milieu du quinzième siècle. Une nouvelle interprétation des monogrammes qui ornent les plaques permet d'identifier l'abbé Walter Clifton (environ 1365–97) comme leur patron. Une analyse du style et de l'iconographie des plaques suggère aussi une date de la fin du quatorzième siècle. Le parallèle le plus proche des plaques est un insigne rond décoré du signe de Richard ii. Les indices provenant d'inventaires et la comparaison avec le matériel provenant d'Europe continentale suggèrent que les plaques de Warden étaient probablement des morses, et étaient utilisées pour attacher une chape.

Zusammenfassung

Bei den drei verkupferten und emaillierten Plaketten der Warden Abtei handelt es sich um die wichtigsten Beispiele spätmittelalterlicher Metallarbeit aus einer englischen Zisterzienserabtei. Sie sind zur Zeit im Britischen Museum ausgestellt und datieren auf die Mitte des fünfzehnten Jahrhunderts. Eine Neuinterpretation der Monogramme, die diese Plaketten schmücken, deutet darauf hin, daß der Abt Walter Clifton (c 1365–97) deren Patron gewesen sein muß. Eine Analyse des Stils und der Ikonographie der Plaketten deutet ebenfalls auf das späte vierzehnte Jahrhundert. Deren engste Parallele ist ein Rundfenster, das mit einem Abzeichen von Richard ii dekoriert ist. Vergleiche von kontinentaleuropäischen Fundstücken deuten darauf hin, daß es sich bei diesen Plaketten wahrscheinlich um Morse handelte, die als Agraffe für einen Chormantel dienten.

Type
Articles
Information
The Antiquaries Journal , Volume 91 , September 2011 , pp. 175 - 193
Copyright
Copyright © The Society of Antiquaries of London 2011

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