Barberini Tapestries. The tapestries in the Crossing and Ambulatory were woven in the first half of the 17th century on the papal looms founded by Cardinal Barberini under the patronage of his uncle Pope Urban VIII. They were executed under the direction of the master weaver Jacques della Riviera from cartoons painted by Jean Francois Romanelli. The cartoons are now in the Vatican. The tapestries, originally designed for the throne room of the Barberini Palace at Rome, afterward a part of the Ffoulke Collection in Washington, and finally presented to the Cathedral by Mrs. Elizabeth U. Coles, are twelve in number and represent scenes in the life of Christ. Four of them hang in the Crossing as follows: In the northeast corner, the Delivery of the Keys to St. Peter; southeast corner, the Last Supper; southwest corner, the Adoration of the Shepherds; and northwest corner, the Flight of Joseph and Mary with the infant Jesus into Egypt. Seven hang in the Ambulatory, as follows (north to south): Christ’s Baptism, the Annunciation, the Adoration of the Magi, the Crucifixion (directly behind and above the High Altar,) the Transfiguration, the Resurrection, and the Agony in the Garden. The twelfth, a map of the Holy Land, is not at present hung. These works are all 15 feet 8 inches high and average 14 feet 1 inch wide. The Delivery of the Keys to St. Peter, the Last Supper, and the Flight into Egypt are more than 17 feet wide. These tapestries appear more like paintings than products of the loom.
THE INTERIOR OF THE CROSSING AND CHOIR
The Litany Desk at the eastern end of the middle aisle (often removed) is of carved oak. Surmounting the ends are two praying angels, while on the front are statues of St. Michael with sword, St. John with chalice, and St. Gabriel with lilies, all facing the Altar. An inscription reads:
“We beseech Thee to ‖ hear us Good Lord ‖ Grant us Thy Peace ‖ Have Mercy Upon us.”
The desk was given by the Laymen’s Club.
The Choir
Architecture. The Choir ([10]) may best be surveyed from the eastern end of the Crossing. (Visitors not admitted to Choir during service time except by permission.) The half-round arches and other features exhibit a late Romanesque style with Byzantine influence, which is not inappropriate to the eastern end of the Cathedral, and which will relatively become a local detail as the prevailing Gothic style of the whole Cathedral develops.[20] The interior facing is of Frontenac stone. Numerous symbols from the Revelation of St. John the Divine will appear as the description of the Choir and its environs proceeds. The first to attract attention is the broad course of red jasper from South Dakota seen at the base of the piers of the great Choir arch. This foundation course, which appears in the Ambulatory ([12-12-12]) running entirely around the Choir, recalls St. John’s description of the Heavenly City: “And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was of jasper” (Rev. xxi. 19). The green moulding above the jasper is Pennsylvania serpentine. The floor of the Choir has three principal levels. From the Crossing 5 steps lead to the Choir proper, which contains the stalls for the clergy and choristers and which occupies the first two bays. An ascent of six more steps leads to the second level which may be designated as the Presbytery. Upon it are the two thrones hereafter mentioned and the altar rail, the latter a step higher.[21] In the Sanctuary within the altar rail, 4 steps lead to the third level upon which stands the Altar with its 3 white steps.[22] Around the Sanctuary stand eight Great Columns described hereafter. The principal donor to the building of the Choir was the late Hon. Levi Parsons Morton (Vice-President of the United States 1889-93, Governor of the State of New York 1895-96) who, after the Great Columns were erected, gave $600,000 toward the completion of the fabric and the installation of the Altar, Reredos, Organ, Choir Stalls, Bishop’s Throne, and some other furnishings. This sum was generously supplemented by Mrs. Morton. The ornate Altar Rail of English oak is inscribed: