Crozier with Saint Michael and the Dragon

Description Within the curved volute, St. Michael battles a dragon, a symbol of the Devil described in Book of Revelation 12:6-9. This scene is the one most commonly found on Limoges croziers, as it symbolizes the victory of Good over Evil. It is an especially appropriate metaphor for the staffs carried by abbots and bishops who were entrusted with the protection of the flock and the preservation of the Christian faith. The dragon motif continues on the volute, the knob, and socket of the crozier. The lozenge enamel pattern and the curling crockets on the outer edge of the volute recall the scales of a dragon or serpent, while more dragons scamper on the knob.

Exhibitions

• 4000 Years of Modern Art. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore; Baltimore Museum of Art, Baltimore. 1953-1957.

Provenance A. Tollin, Paris; Sale, Hotel Drouot, Paris, May 20, 1897, no. 49; Brimo de Laroussilhe, Paris [photographed in the collection before 1917]; Leonce Rosenberg, Paris; Sale, Hôtel Drouot, Paris, June 12, 1924, no. 62; Brimo de Laroussilhe, Paris, 1924; Henri Daguerre, Paris; Henry Walters, Baltimore, August 27, 1925, by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Credit Acquired by Henry Walters, 1925