Exeter Cathedral – Thousand Wax Sculptures – From the Vow Made

Wax carving workshops are taking place in Exeter Cathedral to create 1,000 individual wax sculptures for a major new work of art that takes its inspiration from the Cathedral’s medieval heritage.

A thousand wax sculptures at Exeter Cathedral inspire a new generation of thanks

Working in collaboration with award-winning artists, Neil Musson and Jono Retallick, and supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, people are invited to create their own wax sculptures based on the theme of giving thanks that will go on to become part of a major new art installation.

The project, From the Vow Made, is inspired by Exeter Cathedral’s unique collection of medieval wax votives that were discovered hidden behind a stone canopy above the tomb of the 15th century Bishop of Exeter, Edmund Lacy.

These votives are made of hollow beeswax and were hung around the tomb of the Bishop by pilgrims seeking cures. The offerings usually represented individual limbs that the pilgrims required healing.

During the Reformation, the practice of leaving offerings was stopped and Lacy’s tomb was defaced. But the votives were rediscovered in 1942 during repair work following Second World War bomb damage and the collection is now considered to be of great importance as there are no other survivals of this kind in Britain.

Lis Spencer, Community Outreach and Partnerships Officer at Exeter Cathedral, said,

“The workshops are a unique chance to learn more about Exeter Cathedral’s collection of medieval wax votives, while also having a go at making your very own figure. Anyone of any age is welcome to have a go at producing their own carving and all contributions will be included in From the Vow Made – a landmark sculptural installation to be displayed in Exeter Cathedral’s nave this summer.”

Public workshops will take place throughout April and May to create the wax figures and sessions will be run at local schools and community groups.

The new collection of wax figures will be made from beeswax, sourced from local Devon beekeepers, as their medieval counterparts were before them.

Public wax carving workshops will be taking place on Tuesday 8 and Wednesday 9 April at Exeter Cathedral. More information can be found on the Exeter Cathedral website here.