reredos

[ reer-dos, reer-i-, rair-i- ]

/ ˈrɪər dɒs, ˈrɪər ɪ-, ˈrɛər ɪ- /

a screen or a decorated part of the wall behind an altar in a church.

the back of a fireplace or of a medieval open hearth.

Origin of reredos

1325–75; Middle English, alteration of Anglo-French areredos, equivalent to Middle French arere behind (see arrear) + dos back (< Latin dorsum)

At one time, before the erection of the reredos, the feretory must have been visible from the choir.

Bell's Cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of Winchester |Philip Walsingham Sergeant
Like most Flemish productions, the reredos is wanting in grace.

Portuguese Architecture |Walter Crum Watson
On the east side of the reredos are some fine modern statues of the Virgin and other saints.

The Cathedrals of Great Britain |P. H. Ditchfield
It is on the south side of the reredos, Gardiner's being on the north.

Wanderings in Wessex |Edric Holmes

Of Abbot Horton's reredos, which was destroyed at the Reformation, only fragments remain.

Bell's Cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of Gloucester [2nd ed.] |H. J. L. J. Mass

reredos

/ (ˈrɪədɒs) /

a screen or wall decoration at the back of an altar, in the form of a hanging, tapestry, painting, or piece of metalwork or sculpture

another word for fireback (def. 1)

C14: from Old French areredos, from arere behind + dos back, from Latin dorsum