Experts have recently carried out a detailed inspection and cleaning of the Great Pavement, more commonly known as the “Cosmati Pavement”, at Westminster Abbey, and are now waiting for funding in order to conserve and stabilise the pavement so that it can be exposed for people to see and enjoy in the future.
The ancient mosaic Pavement in front of the High Altar, predicts the end of the world, which, according to the formula in its inscription, will terminate after 19,683 years. It is also the 'stage' upon which the Coronation Theatre is built and has been at the very centre of the Coronation Ceremony itself for hundreds of years.
As part of the inspection, the Abbey's conservators carefully examined the rare marble, stone and glass floor, which dates from 1268 and is renowned as the finest example of 'Cosmati' work north of the Alps.
They took microscopic samples, which allowed them to accurately identify the materials used to build the Pavement and date any alterations or earlier restoration work. The real challenge was to devise minimum-intervention techniques, which provided the information they required. Using special footwear to protect the Pavement they carefully dusted the surface, gently removed loose surface dirt and cleaned it with the aid of de-ionised water before inching their way over the surface taking very detailed digital photographs.
The Cosmati Pavement at Westminster Abbey
The finest example of 'Cosmati' work north of the Alps is very fragile and has to remain covered for much of the time. Similar Cosmati work at Westminster Abbey occurs around the tombs of Henry III and Edward the Confessor was possibly undertaken by the same workmen as those who laid the Cosmati Pavement under the direction of Odoricus in 1268.
The pavement is made of red and Green porphyry, marble and glass set in squares and circles. The design of the pavement, covering much of the Abbey's Sacrarium in front of the High Altar, represents the probable duration of the world according to the Ptolemaic system. The inscription, of which only a few brass letters remain, incorporates the date, the name of the reigning monarch (Henry III) and the city (Rome) from which the materials originated. It has been suggested that the materials may have been presented by the Pope to Abbot Ware.
Westminster Abbey's long-term aim is to conserve and stabilise the pavement so that it can be exposed for people to see and enjoy in the future.