French Painter
Two Shells of St. James of Compostella
(overall 30 x 19.5 cm.; shells, 9.5 x 11.5 cm. each)
France, c. 1500

Two scallop shells, symbol worn by pilgrims who have completed the route to St. James of Compostella and of St. James himself, decorate this composite panel, placed one above each other on a ground of blue pot-metal glass. Similar shells sometimes appear strewn on the background of stained glass panels depicting St. James, or on a border. Alternatively, the shells could come from an armorial panel. Here the shells are cut from the same pattern and bear traces of silver stain and grisaille.
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