Mikey P
Administrator
I'm guessing all wool, hand tied. The two smaller matching rugs can be cleaned in plant, we'll have to deal with the 70x12 on location
Any suggestions or concerns to look at on the pre visit?
The new manager says it's filthy and has no idea when it was last cleaned.
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The Carpet
This magnificent carpet of rare texture and beauty was designed by John MacQuarrie, a distinguished San Francisco artist and sculptor. This marvelous conception of combined erudition, imagination and religious fervor was woven in Austria and imported to this country under great difficulties and at much expense. In memory of the late Archbishop Patrick W. Riordan, the carpet was donated to the newly finished chapel at St. Patrick's where it blends the beauty of its color and workmanship with the exquisite handicraft of the whole structure.
At the entrance to the chapel there is a small carpet measuring sixteen by twelve feet, which, for convenience sake, is called the console strip. There, in years gone by, the organ, which is now in the sanctuary, rested. This carpet, as it were, sounds the prelude to the symbolism that is to follow on the others. The outer border is composed of intertwining "figure eights" significant of the struggle of virtue against its enemies. In the main motif there is pictured the abatement of the waters after the flood and the springing up of new verdure fashioned like clover. There, also, can be seen drops of water falling from the out-stretched wings of the dove sent from the ark by Noah. In the dove's mouth is the branch of olive - the symbol of peace. Above all is the rainbow, the sign that the flood has abated.
There follows the large carpet, seventy feet long and twelve feet wide, which runs the length of the chapel nave. Here the symbolism is found in three distinct groupings.
The first grouping portrays two incidents that occurred in the history of the Israelites. There is the interrupted sacrifice by Abraham of his son Isaac. The victim-to-be is bound upon three stones which represent the altar; Abraham, overcome with grief is bowed suppliantly before the altar; the sacrificial sword is ready; but above hovers the angel sent to prevent the sacrifice. The other scene is the delivery of the law to the Chosen People amid the thunders of Sinai. One can see the hands of Moses outstretched to shield the people from the awful presence of the Divinity. From his fingers radiate the commandments of the Decalogue.
The second grouping on this carpet represents the inspired guidance of Israel by Samuel, prophet and judge. The kingship of David is also pictured in the symbol of the crown. Here is the harp of the royal psalmist from which, like wreaths of smoke from a censor, rise the beautiful harmonies of his worship, finally intertwining to form the letter "M", the monogram of the Blessed Virgin Mary who descended from the House of David. The third and last grouping on this carpet is perhaps the most significant of all. It is the Cross. About it may be seen the seven swords which pierced the pure heart of Mary.
Ascending to the sanctuary, the symbolism evolves from the history of Christianity in general to the theme of the conversion of Ireland. The first step represents a sunset upon the waters, symbolic of the spread of Christianity to the West. On the second step, the anchor of true faith has taken firm hold. And on the third, the symbolism is of pagan Ireland, portrayed by the four-leaf clover, the good luck symbol of old Celtic worship.
In the sanctuary proper, the main carpet depicts the conversion of the Isle of Saints. In the center is the baptismal font of St. Patrick, and this is surrounded by the holy vessels of the altar. About these symbols are bands of hearts, signifying conversion in the true faith; and embracing these is the shamrock, St. Patrick's chosen symbol of the Trinity. An outer border has at each corner a sanctuary lamp together with the episcopal insignia, the crozier and mitre. Here too is the fleur-de-lis, reminiscent of St. Patrick's French education, if not his birth. The dragon, ancient symbol of Satan, emerges, suggesting the never-ending struggle between good and evil.
Any suggestions or concerns to look at on the pre visit?
The new manager says it's filthy and has no idea when it was last cleaned.
-------------------------------
The Carpet
This magnificent carpet of rare texture and beauty was designed by John MacQuarrie, a distinguished San Francisco artist and sculptor. This marvelous conception of combined erudition, imagination and religious fervor was woven in Austria and imported to this country under great difficulties and at much expense. In memory of the late Archbishop Patrick W. Riordan, the carpet was donated to the newly finished chapel at St. Patrick's where it blends the beauty of its color and workmanship with the exquisite handicraft of the whole structure.
At the entrance to the chapel there is a small carpet measuring sixteen by twelve feet, which, for convenience sake, is called the console strip. There, in years gone by, the organ, which is now in the sanctuary, rested. This carpet, as it were, sounds the prelude to the symbolism that is to follow on the others. The outer border is composed of intertwining "figure eights" significant of the struggle of virtue against its enemies. In the main motif there is pictured the abatement of the waters after the flood and the springing up of new verdure fashioned like clover. There, also, can be seen drops of water falling from the out-stretched wings of the dove sent from the ark by Noah. In the dove's mouth is the branch of olive - the symbol of peace. Above all is the rainbow, the sign that the flood has abated.
There follows the large carpet, seventy feet long and twelve feet wide, which runs the length of the chapel nave. Here the symbolism is found in three distinct groupings.
The first grouping portrays two incidents that occurred in the history of the Israelites. There is the interrupted sacrifice by Abraham of his son Isaac. The victim-to-be is bound upon three stones which represent the altar; Abraham, overcome with grief is bowed suppliantly before the altar; the sacrificial sword is ready; but above hovers the angel sent to prevent the sacrifice. The other scene is the delivery of the law to the Chosen People amid the thunders of Sinai. One can see the hands of Moses outstretched to shield the people from the awful presence of the Divinity. From his fingers radiate the commandments of the Decalogue.
The second grouping on this carpet represents the inspired guidance of Israel by Samuel, prophet and judge. The kingship of David is also pictured in the symbol of the crown. Here is the harp of the royal psalmist from which, like wreaths of smoke from a censor, rise the beautiful harmonies of his worship, finally intertwining to form the letter "M", the monogram of the Blessed Virgin Mary who descended from the House of David. The third and last grouping on this carpet is perhaps the most significant of all. It is the Cross. About it may be seen the seven swords which pierced the pure heart of Mary.
Ascending to the sanctuary, the symbolism evolves from the history of Christianity in general to the theme of the conversion of Ireland. The first step represents a sunset upon the waters, symbolic of the spread of Christianity to the West. On the second step, the anchor of true faith has taken firm hold. And on the third, the symbolism is of pagan Ireland, portrayed by the four-leaf clover, the good luck symbol of old Celtic worship.
In the sanctuary proper, the main carpet depicts the conversion of the Isle of Saints. In the center is the baptismal font of St. Patrick, and this is surrounded by the holy vessels of the altar. About these symbols are bands of hearts, signifying conversion in the true faith; and embracing these is the shamrock, St. Patrick's chosen symbol of the Trinity. An outer border has at each corner a sanctuary lamp together with the episcopal insignia, the crozier and mitre. Here too is the fleur-de-lis, reminiscent of St. Patrick's French education, if not his birth. The dragon, ancient symbol of Satan, emerges, suggesting the never-ending struggle between good and evil.
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