The ‘Crown of Thorns sculpture is mounted above altar of Blackburn Cathedral.
The metal sculpture is said to emphasises the pain of the crucifixion, whilst also offering hope and possibilities represented by the jewels set in the sculpture.
The metal sculpture is the work of John Hayward who was perhaps better known for his stained-glass work and designed the original windows in the cathedral’s lantern tower. These windows were replaced, however, when the tower was rebuilt in stone in the 1990s.
Source: Britain’s Pilgrim Places by Nick Mayhew-Smith and Guy Hayward (ISBN: 978-0-9544767-8-6)