Table & Chair: the Love Affair – Near East: Restorers find Church of Nativity’s 7th angel

Italian restoration workers have uncovered a seventh mosaic angel in the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem which was previously hidden under plaster.
The angel, revealed by restorers Piacenti S.p.A, adds to a set of stunning mosaics at the site, which is traditionally considered the birthplace of Jesus.
“Of the 2,000 metres of original mosaics, it was possible to save 150 metres squared,” said Giammarco Piacenti, owner of the company which has been employing Italian restoration excellence in one of the most important sites of Christianity.
Inside, the basilica is still a work site, but a climb up the scaffolding reveals the mosaics in all their bright colours and beauty. Reflecting the light of the sun, visitors can admire turquoise, red, green and shimmering gold. Angels, saints, St. Thomas who points to Jesus’ wound with his finger, Jesus on a donkey coming into Jerusalem, classical Christian scenes that have been given new life in the first phase of restoration which brought back the basilica’s original splendour.

Read the complete article on atableandchairloveaffair.blogspot.it