Pre-Raphaelite work of art from Llandaff Cathedral showcased in a new book.

A pre-Raphaelite work of art from Llandaff Cathedral is among the treasures from Wales’ cathedrals showcased in a new book.

The stories of 50 remarkable artefacts, preserved by the cathedrals of the Church in Wales and the Church of England, feature in the book, called Deans’ Choice: Cathedral Treasures of England and Wales. Each treasure was chosen and described by the Dean, or senior clergy, of the cathedral featured and the book was compiled by Janet Gough, a Canon of Saint Deiniol’s Cathedral in Bangor.

The first Welsh Bible, which dates back to1588, and its translators’ memorial were the choice of St Asaph Cathedral. Meanwhile, Rossetti’s The Seed of David triptych – a pre-Raphaelite oil painting – was chosen by Llandaff Cathedral and it is the middle panel from that painting which features as the book’s cover image.

The Seed of David Triptych (1856-64) painting was one of Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s first major commissions. He chose as his subject the Nativity of Christ. The title emphasises Christ’s descent from David, who is depicted on both wings of the triptych: on the left as a shepherd boy and on the right as a king. The centre panel shows that Christ can be worshipped by rich and poor, shepherd and king, while a shepherd’s crook and a crown are laid at his feet. The infant Christ holds out his hand to be kissed by a poor shepherd and his foot by a king, showing the superiority of poverty over wealth.

The other Welsh treasures chosen are:

• The Medieval shrine for Wales’ patron saint, St David, at St Davids Cathedral
• Wales’ largest Norman font at Brecon Cathedral
• The Mostyn Christ - a pre-Reformation, life-sized wooden figure of Christ – at Saint Deiniol’s Cathedral in Bangor
• The Newport Rood - a striking modern work of art made from wire - at Newport Cathedral

The book pays homage to the generations of craftspeople responsible for creating and maintaining cathedrals

Introducing the book, Janet Gough, who is a lecturer and advisor on historic churches and cathedrals, says, “Covering so many different crafts and skills over a timespan of more than 1,000 years, the book pays homage to the generations of craftspeople responsible for creating and maintaining cathedrals as we know them today - including the thousands of kneelers stitched, mostly by women.

“The 50 treasures also bear witness to centuries of Christianity and cathedrals as places of worship glorified by artistic expression – here in rood screens, crosses and liturgical items.

“The histories and architecture of our cathedrals have been documented and described in many ways by many people over the years in books of all shapes and sizes. But here their stories are revealed afresh, through one special object per double-page spread, and in the voice of the cathedral Dean who treasures it.”

Deans’ Choice: Cathedral Treasures in England and Wales is published by Scala Arts & Heritage Publishers, price £14.95, ISBN: 978-1-78551-453-1 Order from: www.cpo.org.uk/cathedral-treasures-shop