Continuity and change : the curation, modification and reuse of the 15th-century choir stalls in St Paul’s Cathedral, Mdina, Malta (1625 – 1725)

Abstract

This dissertation investigates the curation, modification, and reuse of the 15th-century choir stalls at St Paul’s Cathedral, Mdina, between 1625 and 1725. The choir was originally completed in 1490 and dismantled in 1876. Less than 10% of the original material of the fragmented stalls survives today, posing significant challenges to scholarly interpretation. Employing an interdisciplinary framework that integrates archival research, material analysis, and visual observation, this study reconstructs the evolution and treatment of the choir during the century under study which was a critical period in the life-history of this artefact. The research establishes the stalls’ completion date. A hypothesis is presented for their initial configuration, and key modifications are identified, including a previously undocumented relocation in 1626 and the addition of kneelers in 1682. Decorative interventions, such as the replacement of inlaid frames in the late 17th century and the introduction of gilding in the early 18th century, are also analysed. It is argued that the findings reflect evolving liturgical, aesthetic, and functional priorities. These transformations align with broader Counter-Reformation objectives. They also reveal sustained and deliberate efforts to integrate artefacts from the old Cathedral into the newly reconstructed structure, illustrating a nuanced balance between continuity and innovation. By exploring how successive curation decisions were shaped by the cultural, liturgical, and historical significance of the stalls, this study enriches the discourse on heritage preservation, presenting it as a dynamic negotiation of tangible and intangible values. Despite challenges posed by the stalls’ fragmented state and limited primary sources, this research underscores the efficacy of interdisciplinary approaches in reconstructing fragmented heritage. It recognises the choir stalls as enduring witnesses to Malta’s ecclesiastical and artistic evolution, offering a robust framework for future inquiry into their cultural, political, and religious contexts.