Design and the decorative arts at Balzan Parish Church : from Baroque to Revivalism (1700-1950)

Abstract

This study aims to comprehensively and contexually analyse the role of design and decorative arts as represented in the varied collection at the parish church of the Annunciation of the Virgin at Balzan in Malta, focusing primarily on artefacts made of silver and wood which were produced between 1700 and 1950. Several of the works under study have already received academic attention, most especially in the academic writings of Dr Mark Sagona, but this dissertation is the first attempt at an exhaustive and holistic analysis of this small but remarkable collection which reflects in many ways a typical ecclesiastical collection of a small parish church on the island of Malta. This study attempts to understand better the context which instigated and permitted the commissioning of these works or which spurred their donation to the parish church. After laying down the literary framework for the works by outlining the extensive readings undertaken for this study, together with the methodology adopted, and the material gathered from a number of interviews with Maltese personalities who could throw better light in the undertsanding of so varied and complex a subject, Chapter 2 goes into a brief overview of the local ecclesiastical decorative arts context. It discusses the works with reference to international ecclesiastical design developments, and the study then looks at the evolution of design, to get a better understanding of the artistic styles present in the collection. The following chapter zooms onto the study of the designers and makers when known, especially in relation to silversmiths and woodcarvers working in Malta, whilst also looking at other objets d’art which were either imported or donated to the church. Lastly, in the final chapter, the focus shifts to the essential function of the decorative arts which relates to the strong currents of belief and devotion and links them with the identity of the local population. Due importance was therefore given to the social dimensions and the role of collective patronage. Particular attention was given to artefacts specifically commissioned for the celebration of solemn festivities in honour of the Virgin and other annual liturgical celebrations and related ceremonies, together with other items of liturgical objets d’ art and church furniture connected to the patronage of the confraternities. The decision to concentrate only on works in wood and silver permitted a better focus; expanding on other works in stone, marble and embroidery would have become too wide for the scope of an undergraduate dissertation. This also enabled a better comparative analysis with other works in other parish collections in the Maltese Islands. The chosen time bracket also reflects the span of production of the more important works in the parish collection, from the foundation of the parish church to the immediate post-World War II period, characterised by an unfortunate drop in artistic quality. This study results from extensive engagement with the works themselves, which were measured, photographed and closely studied; in the case of silverworks an analysis of maker’s and assay marks was also carried out. Extensive archival research was also undertaken in both the archives of the parish church but also in other holdings such as those at the Archbishop’s Curia.