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.

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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.

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See also: altarpiece.

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Altar: An altar is any structure upon which sacrifices or other offerings are offered for religious purposes....

Church: :This article is about the Christian buildings of worship. For other uses of the word, see Church (disambiguation)....

Iconography: Iconography is the study and interpretation of images in art. This includes both religious and secular images of all varieties....