The basement is the remains of a Roman apse. The upper portion dates from the end of the 14th century.
[Illustration: APSIS OF THE GREAT CHOIR, SEEN FROM THE BANKS OF THE MEUSE (_see p. 34_).]
The bas-reliefs are Roman carvings, re-utilised in the Gothic buttresses. _From right to left_ they represent _Adam and Eve_; the _Annunciation_ (the Virgin and Angel are separated by a tree, whose shape recalls the Tree of Life on the Chaldean cylinders reproduced on the cloth-stuffs exported from Byzantium); _Cain and Abel (through an error in perspective, frequently to be found in Egyptian art, the bust and trunk of the two patriarchs are shown in profile, whilst the feet are facing frontwards)_; an unknown bishop.
In the background: The old choir and organ-loft (the organs had been removed). In the foreground: The marble balustrade of the Great Choir protected by sandbags]
The Great Nave was very seriously damaged by the bombardments. Several bays of the vaulting fell in, leaving bare the timber-work of the roof in ruins.
_On entering the Cathedral by the Central Portal in the North Front (see p. 43)_ the old Choir _(photos, p. 44) is on the right, and the_ Great Choir with ciborium _(p. 45) on the left_.
[Illustration: THE GREAT NAVE BEFORE THE WAR
In the background: The Old Choir and the Great Organ. In the foreground: The balustrade of the Great Choir]
[Illustration: THE GREAT NAVE SEEN FROM THE OLD CHOIR
In the background: The Great Choir and the Ciborium. The ruined vaults have bared the damaged framework of the roof]
The old square choir is intersected by the great organ, as at Albi.
The decoration of the Great Choir dates from 1760. The marble balustrade (_see p. 44_) is a copy of that in the Jardin du Luxembourg, Paris, and replaced the old lateral walls and rood-loft. The gilded canopy, which is a transformation of the antique ciborium of the Gallo-Roman churches, is supported by four twisted columns of grey marble. It is a copy of that of St. Peter’s at Rome. Behind it are eighty-six stalls in two superposed rows, and carved panelling (_see p. 46_).
(The Ciborium was the canopy supported by columns which covered the altars in the early Christian basilicas.)]
[Illustration: THE STALLS AND WOODWORK OF THE GREAT CHOIR]