Shroud of Saint Lazare d'Autun

Shroud of Saint Lazare d'Autun

Andalusia, early 11th century
Taffeta embroidered with silk
Bequest by David-Weill, 1933 
Cl. 21865

Two multi-lobed wheels (D. 23 cm) are raised on dark blue silk and, offset to these, two smaller, fragmented multi-lobed medallions, whose points end in thin stems with flowers in bud. The two types of medallions have their contours outlined with a red ribbon dotted with gold pearls. In the wheels with six lobes, this ribbon is double and forms a crown holding pomegranates held together by scrolls. The upper wheel is filled with a golden sphinx with its body in profile, its head face up, its tail upturned and pinned by a floret. The lower wheel holds a horseman, his arms spread out, holding a falcon on his left wrist and a hare in his right hand. In the intermediate star medallion that is best preserved, to the left, the spread wings of an eagle in profile can be seen