Double Capital Depicting Saints Cosmas and Damian (Guild of Barber-Surgeons)

Description Guilds of various natures often sponsored artworks. In this late fifteenth-century capital from a monastery in Gascony (France), the arms of the guild of barber-surgeons is prominently displayed. The coat of arms depicts the tools of the trade (scalpel and scissors) and is flanked by two famous doctor saints from Antiquity: Cosmas and Damian. The inscription reads, "Saints Cosmas and Damian pray for us." Another doctor holding a flask up to the light is pictured on the right; on the back, two medical saints (possibly Gervasius and Protasius) complete the decoration.

Conservation

Date	Description	Narrative
6/25/1971	Treatment	cleaned

Provenance Walters Art Museum, 1967, by purchase.

Inscriptions [Transcription] With arms of the Barbers and Surgeons Guild: Sce. Cosme et Damiane orate pro nobis [Translation] Saints Cosmas and Damian, pray for us

Credit Museum purchase with funds provided by the S. & A.P. Fund, 1967