My findings and the Met

Before my visit to the Metropolitan Museum, I had no specific interest in a time period. As i wandered around the Medieval sculptures and art, I noticed to many mother and child works of art and sculptures of the saints, which of course was normal for that time. I wanted to search for artifacts that we don't readily equate with the Medieval period. While reading Dante's Inferno we learned of the significance of animals. I've always been fascinated with animals and their symbolic role in literature. I was glad to find several artifacts of animals used in religious context. Here they are:




This is a sculpture of Trumpet blowing angels heralding the last Judgement. You can't see them, but the angels are to the left & right of the statue. The figure is the angel of St. Matthew, to his left is the ox of Luke and to his right is the Lion of Mark. This statue supported an eagle lecturn. (pictured below)

Below is the head of a Crozier with a serpent devouring a flower. The crozier conveyed authority of the bishop. The Serpent and flower are frequently combined. They allude to the rod of Moses that turned to a serpent and to the flowering rod of Aaron, symbol of his election to the priesthood of God.

These are two Appliques from a Book Cover: Ox of St. Luke & Lion of St. Mark

Eucharistic Dove

This dove would've hung over an altar asan evocation of "holy spirit". A tear shaped door on its back conceals a small cavity used to hold the bread of the Eucharist.

I enjoyed my trip to the Met. I felt I wasn't able to absord all of the artifacts.

(of course this musuem is huge) I was glad to soak up the culture. It really helps to visually see pieces of history and not only read about it.