A Dossal

1973

Beverley Shore-Bennett

Accessible

Type

  • Textile Work

Medium

  • Mixed fibre

Dimensions

  • H8700 x W4565mm (made up of three panels: side panels W730, centre panel: W3100)

Beverley Shore-Bennett, ‘A dossal’ (1964), Wellington Cathedral of St Paul, Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington
. Image: Bronwyn Holloway-Smith, Public Art Heritage Aotearoa New Zealand, 2024

1973–Current

Behind the altar, Wellington Cathedral of St Paul, 2 Hill St, Thorndon, Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington

Artists
Credit

Anglican Church in Aotearoa New Zealand & Polynesia Art Collection: Wellington Cathedral of Saint Paul

Associated Artwork Person(s)
Associated Artwork Organisation(s)

Description

“The dossal hanging behind the altar is a mosaic made of furnishing fabric and appliqué with machine embroidery, designed and made by Beverley Shore Bennett. There are nearly 5000 pieces in the central panel, which is the artist’s impression of the Transcendent Christ with the hands in a gesture of blessing.

"The side panels include 12 sections which are representative of aspects of [the parish’s] Doctrine of God. Four winged creatures depict the link with the Old Testament as recorded in Ezekiel chapter 1 and later in Revelations chapter 4. These have become identified with the four evangelists:

  • Matthew - The winged creature with the head of a man
  • Mark - The head of a lion
  • Luke - The head of an ox
  • John - The head of an eagle

“A small booklet has been published about the dossal hanging, and is available for purchase from the Cathedral office.”

Shore-Bennett was asked to design the portable font for the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul by the dean, Walter Hurst, in 1969, which then led to her being invited to design the Holm Memorial window for the cathedral. She later designed the cathedral's dossal hangings, which took her three years to make."