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Choirmaster's Crozier with Saints Valerie, Martial, and Michael

Anonymous (French)

mid 13th century (Medieval)

gilded copper with rock crystal and semiprecious stones

12 15/16 x 6 5/16 x 7/8 in. (32.8 x 16 x 2.3 cm)

Description
This unusual crozier branches into two volutes, containing on one side St. Valerie kneeling with her decapitated head, guided by a small angel. St. Martial, the bishop who converted her to Christianity, is seen on the other side, celebrating the Mass. At the top is the archangel St. Michael; all three were patron saints of Limoges. Made for a choirmaster, this crozier's two volutes symbolize the two parts of the chants (verses and responses) that were traditionally sung by a choir of monks.
Additional Information

Acquired by Henry Walters, 1920

53.83

Centre Street: Third Floor: Romanesque and Gothic Art

French

Gothic

Limoges, France


Provenance

Dugué, Paris, before 1847; Sale, Paris, March 7, 1851, no. 2; Hollingworth Magniac, Colworth, Bedford, 1851, by purchase; Charles Magniac, Colworth, 1867, by inheritance; Sale, Christie's, London, July 2, 1892, no. 504; Edward Arnold, London, by purchase; Sale, London, June 8, 1920, no. 183; Webb; George Robinson Harding, London, by purchase; Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1920, by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

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