Saint Paul and Saint Thomas - Anonymous

Limoges

Circa 1220-1230

Engraved and gilded repoussé copper, plaques of champlevé, enamelled and gilded copper, glass cabochons

H. 30 cm ; w. 14 and 15 cm. ; d. 6 and 6,5 cm

@credits

These plaques (the Petit Palais has two of the six surviving plaques), decorated with a low relief figuring the apostles Paul and Thomas, probably come from the abbey of Grandmont (Haute-Vienne) where they were parts of the decoration of the high altar.

The exceptional technical and aesthetic quality of these pieces illustrate the skill in working champlevé enamelled copper acquired by the craftsmen of Limoges in the 13th century.