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medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture********************************************************************** To join the list, send the message: subscribe 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: unsubscribe 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/medieval-religionCan anyone in the group help me better identify the stained glass image of an unusual Sedes Sapientia figure shown here: http://www.astrologie-et-christianisme.fr/? The image is the first one to appear in the slide show at the top of the Accueil page.
Christian Fages, the author of the web-site on which the image is posted, identifies it as being from the “Basilica of Châlons-en-Champagne.” However, it is unclear to me whether this means the basilique Notre-Dame de l'Épine, situated in the little village of L'Épine, in the Marne, near Châlons-en-Champagne, or else the cathédrale Saint-Étienne de Châlons situated in Châlons-en-Champagne and dedicated to Saint Étienne. I’m also curious as to the date of the work. Mr. Fages has yet to respond to my queries.
A sedes sapientia figure without a Christ Child seems sufficiently unusual to make me wonder whether this labeling is original or the result of some unfortunately misguided restoration. The astronomical imagery, an astrolabe and nine celestial bodies also seems a bit odd. If the intent was to allude to the seven naked-eye planets, then there are two bodies too many. In medieval astronomy the Sun and the Moon are part of the seven.It would be good to know what imagery is in the larger context of the other panes in the larger window of which the image in question is only one element.I’d be grateful to anyone in the Group would could provide more facts or commentary about this image.
Richard J Legault