Head of a Crozier with a Serpent Devouring a Flower, ca. 1200–1220

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Head of a Crozier with a Serpent Devouring a Flower, ca. 1200–1220, Made in Limoges, France, French, Copper: formed, engraved, chased, scraped, stippled, and gilt; champlevé enamel: medium and light blue, light green, yellow, red, and white; glass cabochons, Overall: 9 1/8 x 5 1/16 x 2 3/4 in. ( x x 7 cm), Enamels-Champlevé, As early as the sixth century, the pastoral staff, or crozier, conveyed the authority of a bishop, abbot, or abbess. The serpent and flower are frequently combined on enamel croziers from Limoges. They allude to the rod of Moses that, in the presence of Pharaoh, miraculously turned into a serpent at the command of God, and to the flowering rod of Aaron, symbol of his election to the priesthood by God

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Size: 3871px × 4838px
Photo credit: © Artokoloro / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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