PRELUDE to description of Mosaic paving in the Crypt of St. Mary’s Basilica, Sydney Australia
by Peter O. Melocco June, 1956.(designer of the same.)
The
first Mosaic laid in the Crypt floor was that small section which forms the
well of the stair from the Cathedral to the Crypt floor level, which forms the
surrounding to the sandstone pedestal supporting the recombant bronze figure
of an Australian soldier of World War 1, the sculpture of which was by Mr. Ashton,
the well known Australian artist. In this marble mosaic and black marble slab work
are emblems representative of sacrifice; appropriate subjects to the group.
The marble mosaic border is of a design which could be described as Italian
Gothic, remeniscent of the illuminated borders as seen in many Italian missals
of the - - century; the design is usually of a cream tone on a blue ground (unfortunately,
in-this case, the action of the cement upon the blue coloured pigment has caused
the colour to fade, thus loosing much of the richness of the original blue tone).
The rest of the floor is of a cream almost oyster shell marble from the Carso
of a delicate but rich structure, the whole of this small section of the Crypt
is quite in keeping with what was to follow.The second mosaic paving in the Crypt was that section known as Archbishop Kelley’s chapel, where the remains of this much revered Archbishop were laid to rest. The mosaic work has been kept to a golden tone by the use of golden yellow Siena marble which forms the infilling of’ a geometric design and a suitable Italian Gothic border which has a theme of the passion by the introduction of the passion flower . In the centre of the chapel crosswise a marble slab was introduced to al]ow the opening of the vault under and in the mosaic forming the surface of same the Coat of Arms and description of Archbishop Kelley’s main points of life were introduced with two adoring angels forming the main part of the exterior decoration of this part of the floor. The whole forming a very beautiful ensemble.
It
was in 1937when his Eminence Cardinal Norman Thomas Gilroy was created Cardinal,
that the Catholic people of Australia desired to show in a humble way their
appreciation of the honour bestowed upon him by the Holy See that through a
subscription list raised the sum of Ten Thousand Pounds and presented same to
his Eminence and who in turn decided to spend this sum to honour the pioneer
priests and all those of his predecessors by having their mortal remains interred
within the Crypt and the vaults of some which in this case was within the Sanctuary
Section of the Crypt to be paved with a marble mosaic paving the design of which
was to be so that over each of the resting places of the various persons was
to have a descriptive slab with suitable designs. This section was completed
in 1948 and the completed work is much admired.
The paving of the balance of the Crypt had only the plain concrete surface ready to receive a paving worthy of site which by sow had become a national catholic memorial to. those pioneers who had labourel for the faith from the harsh beginning to the more well organized Catholic community as it exists to—day; step by step, from the on original hundred or so worshipers to the millions of Catholics forming the many dioceses and parishes from north to south, east to west of the Australian Continent New Zealand, Oceania and scattered among the many Islands of the surroundings seas.
It was shortly after World War 2 that the first opportunity presented itself when the O’Neil family desired to show as a sign of appreciation to their Father, who had recently died and honour at the sane time their Mother who is still alive by recording with a suitable memorial their love for them, that a donation towards providing for the paving of’ the rest of the Crypt. The area to be covered is a large one, over 800 square yards and only the best could be considered, the cost would be very great but nevertheless after receiving an approximate quotation for the work to be carried out in accordance with the design as prepared and which had been approved, they decided to bear the cost in full; for this section of the paving which amounted to over Twenty Thousand Pounds. The work which is drawing towards completion is indeed worthy of the patroness of the Basilica, the Mother Church of the Catholic community in Australia.
Much remains to be done to complete this worthy memorial but many well intentioned individuals are combining to be able, step by steps to provide for the payment of the work in the near future.