These architectural fragments from part of the left-hand arched portion of a doorway. Said to have come from Dannat, near Clermont Ferrand in South-East France at acquisition, it has been revealed by Williamson that it originates from the celebrated church of Saint-Hilaire-le-Grand, in western France. There are two partially preserved orders from the same arch in the Museé-Saint-Croix in Poitiers, coming from the same church. The inner arch contains the same luxuriant foliage, while the second order encloses the figure of St. Christopher and seated above is the now headless figure of St Martin of Tours. Likewise he holds a scroll in his hands with the Greek inscription 'epikeya'.
Saint-Hilaire-le-Grand in Poitiers, dedicated to the forth-century bishop of the city, is one of the most famous churches of western France, well-known above all for its romanesque capitals and wall-paintings. The 11th and 12th century building remained practically unmodified through the Gothic period until the tenure of the powerful Robert Poitevin as 'Trésorier' of Saint-Hilaire, a post he held from 1449 until his death in 1474. Between these dated he built a splendid new principal entrance to the church. This portal must once have been among the most impressive of late gothic doorways of France. It served both as a monument to Robert Poitevin and a beacon for the special status of the church [see: Williamson].
Physical description
In five pieces following a curve. Figures of St. Peter (holding a key and inscribed S.PIERRE) and St. Robert of Molesme (as an abbot, wearing a cope and holding a pastoral staff, inscribed S. ROBERT) seated beneath canopies. Each figure bears a scroll inscribed EPIKEYA. At either side, separated from them by deeply cut mouldings, are bands of leaf work cut in the round.
Place of Origin
France (St-Hilaire-le-Grand, Poitiers, made)
Date
ca. 1449 - ca. 1474 (hand carved)
Artist/maker
Unknown (production)
Materials and Techniques
Carved limestone
Marks and inscriptions
'S. PIERRE'
'S. ROBERT'
'EPIKEYA' 'equity'
Dimensions
Weight: 190 kg
[Architecture] Weight: 135 kg
[Architecture] Weight: 62.5 kg with A.12:5-1911
[Architecture] Weight: 19 kg
Object history note
Said to have come from Dannat, near Clermont Ferrand in South-East France at acquisition.
Given to the V&A by J.H. Fitzhenry, Esq. Fitzhenry acquired the doorway from the dealer Heilbronner in Paris.
Historical significance: Saint-Hilaire-le-Grand in Poitiers, dedicated to the forth-century bishop of the city, is one of the most famous churches of western France, well-known above all for its romanesque capitals and wall-paintings. The 11th and 12th century building remained practically unmodified through the Gothic period until the tenure of the powerful Robert Poitevin as 'Trésorier' of Saint-Hilaire, a post he held from 1449 until his death in 1474. Between these dated he built a splendid new principal entrance to the church. This portal must once have been among the most impressive of late gothic doorways of France. It served both as a monument to Robert Poitevin and a beacon for the special status of the church [see: Williamson].
Historical context note
There are two partially preserved orders from the same arch in the Museé-Saint-Croix in Poitiers, coming from the celebrated church of Saint-Hilaire-le-Grand. The inner arch contains the same luxuriant foliage, while the second order encloses the figure of St. Christopher and seated above is the now headless figure of St Martin of Tours. Likewise he holds a scroll in his hands with the Greek inscription 'epikeya'. Self evidently these fragments belong together and together with two other foliate voussoirs also in the museum in Poitiers must have emanated from the same doorway.
Descriptive line
Part of a portal, limestone, from the church of Saint-Hilaire-le-Grand at Poitiers, France, ca. 1449-1474
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Williamson, Paul. 'The Flamboyant Portal of Saint-Hilaire-Le-Grand at Poitiers', in: Sculpture Journal, V, 2001, pp. 1-6
Production Note
formerly said to have come from Dannat, near Clermont-Ferrand
Materials
Limestone
Subjects depicted
Scroll; Saints; Staff; Canopy; St Peter; St Robert (of Molesme)
Categories
Sculpture; Architecture; Religion; Architectural fittings
Collection code
SCP
