Dubbele koorbank van eikenhout in de Sint-Maartenskerk in Ieper, België before 1887

This double choir stall in the Sint-Maartenskerk in Ieper, Belgium, was crafted from oak, likely in the 17th century. Within the church, the choir stalls were spaces of ritual performance, designed to reflect and reinforce a rigid social hierarchy. The intricate carvings and monumental scale of the stalls speak to the wealth and power of the church, while the placement within the choir area emphasizes the separation of the clergy from the laity. The very act of creating such elaborate structures reflects the cultural values of the time, where religious institutions held significant sway over social, political, and economic life. Historical records, architectural surveys, and studies of religious practices can offer valuable insights into the cultural significance of this artwork. By understanding the context in which it was created, we can grasp its role in shaping and reflecting the norms of its time.