Plaque with Saint Martial
manufactured (c. 1200); assembled 19th century

• FRANCE, Limoges (manufacturer)

This Limoges enamel plaque was probably one of a series used to adorn the sloping roof or vertical face of a large shrine. Such series usually consisted of a central image of Christ flanked by saints. This object appears to be a marriage of two authentic parts originally not associated with each other. The enamelled backplate includes the Greek letters Alpha and Omega, a title reserved for Christ, while the beautifully chased and gilded applied figure represents Saint Martial, the first bishop of Limoges. Such marriages often occurred in the nineteenth century, when there was a revival of interest in medieval art.