On the 18th and 19th century sacristy furniture in the Maltese Islands : materials, technique, preservation

Abstract

Sacristy furniture has an important role in daily ecclesiastical functions apart from being of utmost historical importance. Notwithstanding this, few studies have been devoted to this type of :furniture. Some sacristy :furniture presents excellent examples of grand style artefacts and such jewels ought to be preserved for future generations. Unfortunately, due to constant use, adverse environmental conditions and in some cases neglect it is continuously subject to irreversible damage. In this study most of the satisfying furniture in Malta and Gozo dating to the eighteenth and the nineteenth centuries has been investigated to evaluate differences and similarities in style, manufacturing techniques as well as types of wood used. Wood, being the main constituent material, was studied extensively. A considerable number of sacristies has been sampled and analyzed to investigate the possible use of local trees for furniture construction during these two centuries. This analysis was also important in revealing the most frequently used types of wood.