From Deseret News archives:
Old religious works have a redeeming value, owner says
Quoting that passage from the famous artist, Anthony Christensen's soul gets to live "dust-free," surrounded daily by pre-20th century paintings, sculpture and woodwork inspired by the force that many believe still stirs men's souls the most: faith.
As owner of Anthony's Antiques & Fine Art, he and his manager, Brett Levitre, regularly visit European art dealers, whose stock in trade is composed largely of Christian-inspired pieces from old cathedrals and churches, many of which have fallen victim to age and obsolescence in a post-modern world.
Christianity has faded dramatically as a social force in much of western Europe, where churches are often converted into government buildings or offices, or simply left to house the memories including full pews and fiery sermons of centuries past.
While historic preservation still has its place there, "not all of them can be renovated," Christensen said, noting many were originally constructed of sandstone and have begun to crumble as the centuries wear on. Consequently, many of their treasures are sold or auctioned off.
They have drawn Christensen and his colleagues to Europe dozens of times, looking for pieces to stock the former home of Salt Lake's First Baptist Church at the northeast corner of 200 South and 400 East. Passers-by, who never have darkened the door of the stately building, have likely wondered what rests inside.
Most who venture in are amazed at the selection — and the sheer size — of some of the works it holds.
A life-size, white marble angel, holding a half-shell that once served as a baptismal font, greets visitors just inside the doorway. Locals familiar with the "Christus" statue at the Visitors Center on Temple Square may be interested to know that the angel came from the Church of Our Lady in Copenhagen, where sculptor Albert Bertel Thorvaldsen's original Christus resides.
Carved in Italy, it would have been in the cathedral as the baptismal font for patrons. "The shell represents rebirth" that Christians believe takes place at baptism, Christensen said.
Just steps away, a massive oak cherub sits perched atop an altar that came from a Carmelite Monastery in Belgium. The 16th century cherub once resided atop a column inside the Nieuwe Kerk in Delft, The Netherlands. Its enlarged features were carved for observers and congregants who gathered dozens of feet beneath the column it capped near the cathedral ceiling.
Purchased from a dealer in France, it was one of two cherubim removed from the church after World War II. The other resides in the national museum in Amsterdam, Christensen said.
