The first Bible in the Welsh language and a pre-Raphaelite work of art are among the treasures from Wales’ cathedrals showcased in a new book.

The stories of 50 remarkable artefacts, preserved by the cathedrals of the Church in Wales and the Church of England, feature in the book, called Deans’ Choice: Cathedral Treasures of England and Wales. Each treasure was chosen and described by the Dean, or senior clergy, of the cathedral featured and the book was compiled by Janet Gough, a Canon of Saint Deiniol’s Cathedral in Bangor.

The first Welsh Bible, which dates back to1588, and its translators’ memorial were the choice of St Asaph Cathedral. Meanwhile, Rossetti’s The Seed of David triptych – a pre-Raphaelite oil painting – was chosen by Llandaff Cathedral and it is the middle panel from that painting which features as the book’s cover image.

The other Welsh treasures chosen are:

• The Medieval shrine for Wales’ patron saint, St David, at St Davids Cathedral

• Wales’ largest Norman font at Brecon Cathedral

• The Mostyn Christ - a pre-Reformation, life-sized wooden figure of Christ – at Saint Deiniol’s Cathedral in Bangor

• The Newport Rood - a striking modern work of art made from wire - at Newport Cathedral

The Dean of St Davids, Dr Sarah Rowland Jones, said: “Wales is richly blessed with an abundance of treasures in its churches and particularly in its cathedrals. Many have been cherished and preserved over centuries by past generations, and have become part of our sense of culture and identity. Often, the building itself which is the treasure.

“It was quite a task to choose just one or two treasures from each of Wales’ six cathedrals for inclusion in this beautiful and fascinating book, but we hope those we did pick will give the reader an insight into Wales’ religious heritage and perhaps whet their appetite to visit and discover more.”

The Sub-Dean of Saint Deiniol’s Cathedral, Canon Siôn Rhys Evans, said: “Janet Gough made history last year by becoming one of the first lay canons of Saint Deiniol’s Cathedral. This year, by compiling this beautiful and important book, she has put Wales’s cathedrals on the map, showcasing our wonderful Welsh treasures alongside some better-known English examples. We’re very grateful to Janet for her work, here in Bangor and now across Wales, to share the glories of our cathedrals with a wider audience.”

Introducing the book, Janet Gough, who is a lecturer and advisor on historic churches and cathedrals, said: “Covering so many different crafts and skills over a timespan of more than 1,000 years, the book pays homage to the generations of craftspeople responsible for creating and maintaining cathedrals as we know them today - including the thousands of kneelers stitched, mostly by women.

“The 50 treasures also bear witness to centuries of Christianity and cathedrals as places of worship glorified by artistic expression – here in rood screens, crosses and liturgical items.

“The histories and architecture of our cathedrals have been documented and described in many ways by many people over the years in books of all shapes and sizes. But here their stories are revealed afresh, through one special object per double-page spread, and in the voice of the cathedral Dean who treasures it.”

Deans’ Choice: Cathedral Treasures in England and Wales is published by Scala Arts & Heritage Publishers, price £14.95, ISBN: 978-1-78551-453-1