Perforated metal plaque: central lamb surrounded by four figures carrying jugs, framed by inscriptions. Front view.

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

Perforated metal plaque: seated figure emptying a jug onto its knees, framed by inscriptions. Front view.

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

Perforated metal plaque: seated figure pouring a jug onto its knees, framed by inscriptions. Front view.

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

Perforated metal plaque: nimbed lamb in front of a banner topped with a cross, surrounded by inscriptions. Front view.

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

Perforated metal plaque: seated figure pouring a jug onto its knees, framed by inscriptions. Front view.

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

Perforated metal plaque: seated figure emptying a jug over its knees, framed by inscriptions. Front view.

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 goldsmith’s plaque adorned the binding of a liturgical book. It represents eternal life with water as the medium − a symbolic element in Christian liturgy.

Four figures dressed in classical draped robes embody the rivers of Eden flowing at the cardinal points. In the centre, the Lamb symbolises the fountain of life.

This allegory declares that the word of Christ will be spread throughout the whole world.
 

From one artwork to another

Sculpted and fragmented head depicting a man with curly beard wearing a hat. Front-facing stone sculpture.

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

Stone sculpture: an angel blowing a horn near figures emerging from their tombs. Front view.

Resurrection of the Dead from Notre-Dame de Paris, Cl. 18643 © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado

Resurrection of the Dead

13th century

Stone capital decorated with acanthus leaves. Front photograph.

Acanthus-decorated capital from the Abbey of Saint-Denis, Cl. 12119 © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado

Capitals from Saint-Denis

1140-1145