2-969-920 - /Heritage Images

The Saint Chapelle, Paris - Restored, 1856. Renovation of 13th century chapel, 'one of the glories of medieval Paris...With the exception of the cross and weathercock, which are of iron and copper, the whole of the ornamental work is of lead, formed with the hammer, and gilt: the ornamental work on the ridge, very large and elaborate, is also of lead. At the eastern termination of the ridge is the figure of an angel, nearly ten feet high, which revolves, by means of clockwork, with the sun. One hand holds a cross, and the other points to the position of the sun. Messrs. Durand, of Paris, by whom the works in lead were executed, deserve mention. "No hammered lead work," says M. Froche, " had been executed since the fifteenth century; this, then, is the first instance wherein for four centuries such work has been done, a circumstance we consider as a fresh and precious conquest for industry'. From "Illustrated London News", 1856.