Angels are generally thought of as having the responsibility of looking out for lost souls here in Baltimore and elsewhere.
But two craftsmen in Hampden are reversing the traditional roles.
Woodworker Jim Adajian and gilder Ed Melbourne have been given the task of bringing new life to two lost heavenly creations by the Baltimore Historic Basilica Trust.
The two kneeling angels ? 4-foot wings included and standing almost 9 feet tall atop their pedestals ? were forgotten for 60 years underneath the Basilica, which is celebrating its 200th anniversary and will reopen in November.
“I?m usually working on high-end furniture. It?s very exciting to [be] a part of the Basilica renovation,” Adajian said.
“It?s especially neat to bring something as beautiful as the statues ? that were hidden in the basement for more than a half of [a] century ? back to life.”
Adajian and Melbourne have been working at their respective studios separately.
Melbourne has been busy removing the debris, dust and dirt buried between 17 layers of paint. Adajian does the restoring and carving. Two other angels are still lost.
“These statues date back to at least to the 1830s and probably came from France or Germany, but could?ve been made in Fells Point for all we know,” Melbourne said. “Rather than cleaning the statues, they just got repainted, and we need to get down to the original gesso level to bring out all the detail. They?ll be luminous in [the] new cathedral with all the new skylights and clear windows.”
The original basilica, built from 1806 to 1821, was the first in the U.S. after the adoption of the U.S. Constitution and is central to the history of both the city and the Archdiocese of Baltimore, also the oldest in the United States.
“This project has universal appeal, I think,” said Gary Kozel, a spokesman for the Basilica Trust. “Designed by Henry Latrobe, it?s really only comparable to the U.S. Capitol. It?s interesting for architects, obviously, but also artists, historic preservations, those interested in history period, and of course, 60 million Catholics in this country.”
Milburn said he?s happy to be a part of the project with so many dedicated professionals adding their expertise.
“It?s going to be a big day when it reopens,” he said. “I?m proud to a part of the group of carpenters, roofers, masons and everyone else that?s been lending a hand to the renovation effort. It?s a place my kids and grandkids will always be able to see my work.”
