Plaque of the Four Rivers of Paradise, Cl. 1362 © GrandPalaisRmn / Franck Raux

Plaque of the Four Rivers of Paradise, Cl. 1362 (detail) © GrandPalaisRmn / Franck Raux

Plaque of the Four Rivers of Paradise, Cl. 1362 (detail) © GrandPalaisRmn / Franck Raux

Plaque of the Four Rivers of Paradise, Cl. 1362 (detail) © GrandPalaisRmn / Franck Raux

Plaque of the Four Rivers of Paradise, Cl. 1362 (detail) © GrandPalaisRmn / Franck Raux

Plaque of the Four Rivers of Paradise, Cl. 1362 (detail) © GrandPalaisRmn / Franck Raux

Plaque of the Four Rivers of Paradise

Description

On display - room 7

12th century

High Middle Ages

This goldsmiths’ plaque once adorned the binding of a liturgical book. It depicts eternal life through the medium of water – a symbolic element in Christian liturgy.

Four figures draped in ancient style personify the rivers of Eden, pouring their waters out in the four cardinal directions. In the centre, the Lamb symbolises the fountain of life.

This allegory foretells that the word of Christ will be carried to every corner of the world.

From one artwork to another

Head of the king of Judah No. 6, Notre-Dame de Paris, Cl. 22988 © GrandPalaisRmn / René-Gabriel Ojeda

Heads of the kings of Judah

First half of the 13th century

Angel holding the instruments of the Passion, Cl. 18762 © GrandPalaisRmn / René-Gabriel Ojeda

Angels of Poissy

Late 13th century - early 14th century