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medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture Staves could indicate either-abbots and bishops carry staves. Of course, they were also supposed to be wise (and by implication, older). And they function as "shepherds." From: medieval-religion - Scholarly discussions of medieval religious culture [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of John Wickstrom Sent: Friday, December 09, 2011 11:26 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [M-R] Nativity iconography medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture I have been puzzled for some time over this sort of staff, which appears often in an 11th century saint's life from Paris. Usually it seems to be a symbol of advanced age; but sometimes it seems to function as a baculus, a staff of authority (I found an 11th c. pope carrying one and an abbot in different sources. But even there the point might be one of advanced or venerable age. John Wickstrom From: medieval-religion - Scholarly discussions of medieval religious culture [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Pamela Sheingorn Sent: Friday, December 09, 2011 12:01 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [M-R] Nativity iconography medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture Joseph's tau-staff is also a reminder of his supposed old age and thus of the virgin birth, which makes it appropriate for a Nativity image. Best, Pam On Dec 9, 2011, at 11:58 AM, Genevra Kornbluth wrote: medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture Dear Marjorie, I think that you are right about the walking stick. Remember the story of Joseph's staff flowering to show that he was the one who should marry Mary (from the Protoevangelion), which justifies some emphasis on that item. The 'ears' behind the infant's head, however, truly look to me like drapery folds connected to the cloth above, perhaps a sneaky way of bringing in a cloth of honor. Let's hear it for iconography! And lovely sculpture and photo, by the way. Best, Genevra On 12/9/2011 11:47 AM, Marjorie Greene wrote: medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture I've been asked what Joseph is holding in this picture: http://medrelart.shutterfly.com/france/433#433 My guess is a staff or cane or walking stick of some sort. Then I started looking more closely at the rest of the image. Is the cloth hanging from the rafters any more than just that? Time and the elements have degraded Jesus' face but it looks almost bestial. He appears to have two animal ears. I can't figure out if there are two animals plus a result of degradation of the sculpture or three animals, one of which is apparent only because his ears stick up behind Jesus' head. Or none of the above. Any comments welcome. Thanks, MG Marjorie Greene http://medrelart.shutterfly.com/ ********************************************************************** To join the list, send the message: join medieval-religion YOUR NAME to: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> To send a message to the list, address it to: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> To leave the list, send the message: leave medieval-religion to: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> In order to report problems or to contact the list's owners, write to: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> For further information, visit our web site: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/medieval-religion.html ________________________________ ________________________________ ********************************************************************** To join the list, send the message: join medieval-religion YOUR NAME to: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> To send a message to the list, address it to: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> To leave the list, send the message: leave medieval-religion to: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> In order to report problems or to contact the list's owners, write to: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> For further information, visit our web site: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/medieval-religion.html ________________________________ No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com<http://www.avg.com> Version: 2012.0.1873 / Virus Database: 2102/4669 - Release Date: 12/09/11 ********************************************************************** To join the list, send the message: join medieval-religion YOUR NAME to: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> To send a message to the list, address it to: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> To leave the list, send the message: leave medieval-religion to: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> In order to report problems or to contact the list's owners, write to: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> For further information, visit our web site: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/medieval-religion.html ********************************************************************** To join the list, send the message: join medieval-religion YOUR NAME to: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> To send a message to the list, address it to: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> To leave the list, send the message: leave medieval-religion to: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> In order to report problems or to contact the list's owners, write to: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> For further information, visit our web site: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/medieval-religion.html ********************************************************************** To join the list, send the message: join medieval-religion YOUR NAME to: [log in to unmask] To send a message to the list, address it to: [log in to unmask] To leave the list, send the message: leave medieval-religion to: [log in to unmask] In order to report problems or to contact the list's owners, write to: [log in to unmask] For further information, visit our web site: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/medieval-religion.html