Entombed Christ Altar: The sculptor has completed the new Entombed Christ altar, carved in Carrara marble for St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney. The Altar is part of a triptych commissioned by Cardinal George Pell that includes two marble statues of Risen Christ and Mary Magdalene accompanying it either side, at the top of the sanctuary steps in St Mary's Cathedral. Full scale models for these are currently in progress in the sculptor's studio. Many of Nigel Boonham's designs and sculptures for the great timber screens and furniture to refurbish the sanctuary have been made and installed, see: Screens and Cathedra

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI consecrated the new altar in Sydney on 19th of July 2008 during the World Youth Day celebrations. Below: Pope Benedict XVI anoints the Altar with oil during the consecration ceremony. (Photo: L'Osservatore Romano)

Below: The new 5 tonne marble Altar, commissioned by Cardinal Pell, seen assembled at Studio Sem at Pietrasanta in Italy where the carving was done.

Below: Pope Benedict XVI celebrates the first Mass on the new Altar on 19th of July 2008. (Photo:L'Osservatore Romano)

Below: Detail of the Entombed Christ relief on the altar frontal, showing the wounds and scourge marks from the Passion.

Below: End reliefs are the Instruments of the Passion and the Sun in Splendour.

Below: Column capitals feature Illawarra Flame Tree (Brachychiton acerifolius) leaves and flowers and the native Violet (Viola betonicifolia - not visible in photo), both Australian plants.

Below: The Altar finished and assembled at Studio Sem with three of artisans who helped the sculptor to realise the imagery from his full scale models: left to right: Davide Cancogni, Simone Fortini and Sergio Benedetti.

Below: The central marble block for the Altar being inspected by Cardinal Pell with Keara McMartin of Studio Sem.

Below: First stages of roughing out, Pierangelo Ghelardini reveals the position of the face of Christ is free of veining.

Below: The sculptor worked very closely with Simone Fortini finishing the frontal relief of the Entombed Christ to match his original plaster model exactly (on right in lower photo).

Below: The capitals were carved from the sculptor's model by Almo Maremmani

Below: Keara McMartin helps Davide Cancogni fit the reliquary cover, which was carved by Davide with Cardinal Pell's Coat of Arms from the sculptor's drawing. Davide also worked on the two end reliefs in collaboration with the sculptor.

Below: John Graham, Sydney architect (left) watches pensively as Sergio Venturini and Alessandro Maggi, installers from Carrara, position the Altar base.

Below: The final delicate positioning of the Altar top required an orchestrated descent

Below: The sculptor