Reredos

An altar and reredos from University Church, Dublin

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A reredos is a screen or decoration behind the altar in a church, usually depicting religious iconography or images. It can be made of stone, wood, metal, ivory, or a combination of materials. The images may be painted, carved, gilded, composed of mosaics, and/or embedded with niches for statues. Sometimes a tapestry is used, or other fabric such as silk or velvet.

Related Topics:
Altar - Church - Iconography - Ivory - Gilded - Mosaic - Niche - Statue - Tapestry - Silk - Velvet

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The term dates back to the 14th and 15th centuries, but was nearly obsolete until revived in the 19th century. Also spelled raredos.

Related Topics:
14th - 15th - Obsolete - 19th century

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See also: altarpiece.

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