The return of monumental custody
On Friday 16 February, the monumental Custody of the Corpus of Tortosa Cathedral was returned to its headquarters in a truck specialized for the transport of works of art. After a restoration and consolidation process carried out by the goldsmith’s restoration team of the Furniture Restoration Center of the Generalitat de Catalunya, the safe has finally been restored and is in perfect condition.
A delicate piece of great value
Custody of the Corpus is a piece of great delicacy and weight, which has accumulated damage over the years. Its use in processions and the passage of time have affected its external ornaments and its balanced structure. For this reason, a thorough restoration was necessary to preserve this treasure of Tortosa’s cathedral.
A technical, artistic and historical study
Taking advantage of the dismantling of the custody, the Cathedral Chapter has decided to carry out a technical, artistic and historical study of this magnificent piece. The team in charge of this study is made up of technician Carolina Jorcano, art historian Lourdes de Sanjosé and canon archivist Mn. Josep Alanya. This study will make it possible to know in more detail the history and characteristics of this custody, which was carried out by the goldsmiths Eloi Camanyes and Agustí Roda between the years 1626 and 1638.
The future of custody
The restored custody has been kept and preserved in the treasury of Tortosa Cathedral, its own place. Work is currently underway on the construction of a plinth and a display case to prominently display it in the Sancta Maria Dertosae Permanent Exhibition. When exposed, a public, formal and official presentation of the restored custody will be made, in order to share with the public this work of art so important to the Cathedral of Tortosa.