Gothic Architectural Fragments Sold

The Preservation and Conservation Association recently sold a semi-tractor trailer load of carved, medieval limestone. The stone was acquired by the Art Institute of Chicago in 1922 and was installed in the former Lucy Maud Buckingham Medieval Room at the Art Institute. The Buckingham Room was dismantled in 1965 and the stone relegated to storage (Chicago, 1965-1985; Urbana, 1985-2009). PACA acquired the stone from the Spurlock Museum at the University of Illinois at Urbana

The grouping consisted of over 200 pieces of carved limestone from a medieval quarry located in Normandy, France. The major fragments comprised three large Gothic window frames and two interior doorway surrounds. According to the Spurlock Museum, the three window frames are from a 15^th century Chateau near Poitiers, France that was destroyed in World War I.

Gothic Window Frame A

three long sash openings (two stone mullions) plus tracery 45 pieces with a numbered key; measurements are unknown

Gothic Window Frame B

two long sash openings (single stone mullion) plus tracery; 27 pieces with a numbered key; measurements are unknown.

Gothic Window Frame C

two long sash openings (singe stone mullion) plus tracery; 30 pieces with a numbered key; measurements are unknown, although the stone sill is 50-inches long.

Elaborate Interior Portal with Engaged Entablature Finial

According to the Spurlock Museum, this interior doorway came from a 15^th century house at Brive, Correze, France or at Cussy-les-Forges, Cote D’or, France. 29 pieces, no known key. The carved entablature is 74-inches wide; Total height maybe in the 12 to 14 feet range.

Simpler Interior Portal

According to the Spurlock Museum, the interior doorway came from either the 15^th century Chateau of the Seneschal de Turenne, Correze, France or from the Hotel des Prevets, Poitiers, France. 17 pieces, no known key. The total height maybe in the 14.5 feet range.

Miscellaneous Pieces

Part of a stone niche and two 19^th century short columns