Lot 221
  • 221

A French Romanesque limestone capital, 12th century

Estimate
12,000 - 18,000 USD
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Description

carved with beasts including a basilisk.

Catalogue Note

The figures of the lion and the basilisk come from Psalm 90:13: “Thou shalt walk upon the asp and the basilisk, and though shalt trample under foot the lion and the dragon.” The passage was interpreted as a sign of the triumph of Christ and his Church; the monstrous beasts were understood to represent the devil and his demons that were vanquished by Christ. 

 

Both the lion and the basilisk would have also been known from medieval bestiaries, books that described and illustrated animals both real and fantastic.  The basilisk, half bird and half serpent, was reputed to kill with its glance alone.

 

Such an engaged capital most likely would have come from an abbey church.  It is interesting to note that Psalm 90 was sung by monks during Compline, the last religious service of the day which prepared the monks for sleep.  The prayers, including Psalm 90, thus focused on the Lord’s protection of the faithful.