The Pulpit
The wooden pulpit which is now found in the nave on the north side of the Co-Cathedral, was placed in the church during the reign of Grand Master Hugues Loubenx de Verdalle (1582-1595) and has been attributed to the Italian sculptor Antonio Lazi from Piacenza.
The intricately carved and decorated structure consists of a raised pulpit constructed out of various types of Walnut. It is intricately adorned with carved, gilded figures including a statue representing St John and the escutcheons of the Order and of Grand Master Hugues Loubenx de Verdalle.
The restoration was carried out by Daniel Gauci and lasted two months from December 2009 to January 2010. It included a cleaning of the whole structure of dust, grime, candle soot and layers of linseed oil and varnish. The pulpit was also treated against woodworm infestation whilst later stages of restoration also included the reintegration of areas of faded gilding.
