Photograph: Spencer Mulholland. Used with permission.
Description
Painted and gilded wooden angel with outstretched wings, positioned at the junction of the decorated roof timbers. The angel holds a blue shield showing a large heart pierced or marked at its centre, with representations of wounded hands above and wounded feet below. The figure is set against the Lady Chapel’s painted red, blue, black and white roof decoration.
Heraldry
These symbols represent Christ’s bleeding heart in the centre, and his four other wounds in the corners .
Identification: RCHME: 5 wounds (azure, a heart, hands and feet gules); Buckeridge – 5 wounds of Christ.
Condition
Restored and renewed in 2025, the figure is clearly legible and appears substantially intact. The painted and gilded surfaces show some visible wear and variation, particularly on the wings, shield and clothing. Minor surface marks and losses are visible, but the principal features of the carving and painted design remain clear.