Southern French Carved Limestone Head of a Saint Probably St Peter

A Southern French Carved Limestone Head of a Saint Probably St Peter
Perhaps from the Auvergne
13th Century
SIZE: 26cm high – 10¼ ins high
The depiction of Saint Peter has been consistent down the ages: a square face and curly beard with either short hair or bald and tonsured. The grave and naturalistic face carved with high cheekbones suggest that it is the head of Saint Peter. The eyes are wide open and precisely carved as befits one of the twelve apostles.
The twelve men picked by Christ to be his apostles and his companions stood in an elevated position. They were given the power to exercise demons, cure disease and infirmity, and ultimately to assist Christ in judgment over humanity. Twelve was a symbolic number for when God made his first covenant with Israel it was divided into twelve tribes. The twelve apostles stood in place of these twelve tribes.

Southern French Carved Limestone Head of a Saint Probably St Peter

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+44 (0)7836 684133

enquiries@finch-and-co.co.uk